50 Books in 2021!

[sui generis]

13. Regeneration, by Pat Barker (Mar 9).  Really liked this book about WWI and psychiatric care at that time.  It's based on real people/some real events.  I hadn't heard of this author before, but I think I'll be looking up more of her work.

It's a trilogy - you should definitely check out the next 2 parts.

Her recent (ish) book "The silence of the girls" is a fantastic retelling of The Iliad from a woman's point of view.

I have the Silence of the Girls on hold!  I was equivocating a bit on the rest of the trilogy, but sounds like you must be a fan.  I noted the third one won the Booker Prize, so maybe less of the fear that the sequels don't live up to the original.

[change_seeker]

Finished:

1.  Farmer Boy, by Laura Ingalls Wilder.  Listened to the audiobook with the kids on our Christmas trip to my parents.  Hearing the chores for those kids makes me think I should expect more from mine around the house!
2.  Jubal Sackett, by Louis L'Amour.  Nice change of pace from his normal formula.  The conjuring of fire to pull one over on his wife seemed...cheap.
3.  Last of the Breed, by Louis L'Amour.  Enjoyed, probably the fourth or fifth time I've read.
4.  The Eagle of the Ninth, by Rosemary Sutcliffe.  Took me a bit to get used to all the Roman terminology.  I think I'll have to watch the movie now to bemoan how it doesn't follow the book.
5.  The Silver Branch, by Rosemary Sutcliffe.  Probably my favorite of the trilogy.
6.  The Lantern Bearers, by Rosemary Sutcliffe.
7.  Comstock Lode, by Louis L'Amour.  Good epic tale to be bedridden with while awaiting COVID results.
8.  The Haunted Mesa, by Louis L'Amour.  Western Tough Guy + Sci Fi (parallel world that explains Anasazi disappearance)
9.  Atomic Habits, by James Clear.  Now to try some of his suggestions!

10. Galloway, by Louis L'Amour.

I am almost all the way through the New Testament.

[cerat0n1a]

I have the Silence of the Girls on hold!  I was equivocating a bit on the rest of the trilogy, but sounds like you must be a fan.  I noted the third one won the Booker Prize, so maybe less of the fear that the sequels don't live up to the original.

I guess she's much better known in the UK - there was a film made of Regeneration back in the late 90s. I think the first one is the best, perhaps the Booker Prize for the conclusion to the trilogy was recognition that it was unlucky not to win previously.

[Need2Save]

Recently Finished
9. Carnegie's Maid, Marie Benedict
10. The Giver of Stars, Jojo Moyes (Book Club)
11. The Girl from the Channel Islands, Jenny Lecoat

Currently on:
12. The Overstory, Richard Powers

[kpd905]

1. Tiamat's Wrath by James S.A. Corey (1/5)
2. We are Legion (Bobiverse #1) by Dennis Taylor (1/13)
3. The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers (1/17)
4. For We are Many (Bobiverse #2) by Dennis Taylor (1/20)
5. All These Worlds (Bobiverse #3) by Dennis Taylor (1/23)
6. Personal by Lee Child (1/27)
7. A Closed and Common Orbit by Becky Chambers (1/30)
8. Ready Player Two by Ernest Cline (2/3)
9. Elantris by Brandon Sanderson (2/10)
10. Steelheart (Reckoners #1) by Brandon Sanderson (2/15)
11. Skyward by Brandon Sanderson (2/19)
12. Firefight (Reckoners #2) by Brandon Sanderson (2/21)
13. Calamity (Reckoners #3) by Brandon Sanderson (2/25)
14. Starsight by Brandon Sanderson (3/9)
15. Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson (3/9)
16. Alcatraz vs the Evil Librarians by Brandon Sanderson (3/11)
17. The Scrivener's Bones (Alcatraz #2) by Brandon Sanderson (3/13)
18. Alcatraz vs the Knights of Crystallia by Brandon Sanderson (3/16)

[StarBright]

Recently Finished
9. Carnegie's Maid, Marie Benedict
10. The Giver of Stars, Jojo Moyes (Book Club)
11. The Girl from the Channel Islands, Jenny Lecoat

Currently on:
12. The Overstory, Richard Powers

ooohh - I hope The Overstory is good. I enjoyed Orfeo a couple of years ago and my husband just finished The Time of Our Singing and absolutely loved it.

[Linea_Norway]

The Dutch House by Ann Parchett.

[Zikoris]

Next batch - into the triple digits now, with favorites highlighted.

83. The Alloy of Law - Brandon Sanderson
84. Shadows of Self - Brandon Sanderson
85. The Bands of Mourning - Brandon Sanderson
I would not have expected a successful transition from the epic fantasy setting of Mistborn to a western series, complete with train robberies and pistol duels, but it's done so well that it seems completely reasonable. Love love love all things Mistborn.


86. Angelfall - Susan Ee
87. World After - Susan Ee
88. End of Days - Susan Ee
89. Wild Magic - Tamora Pierce
90. Wolf-Speaker - Tamora Pierce
91. Emperor Mage - Tamora Pierce
92. The Realms of the Gods - Tamora Pierce

93. A Darker Magic - Glynn Stewart
#13 in the Starship Mage series, a long-time favourite of mine. I don't normally like sci-fi, but throw in a bunch of magic and amazing characters, and I'm all for it.

94. Uprooted - Naomi Novik
95. The Wrath and the Dawn - Renee Ahdieh
96. The Rose and the Dagger - Renee Ahdieh
97. Pestilence - Laura Thalassa
98. War - Laura Thalassa
99. Famine - Laura Thalassa

100. Dealing with Dragons - Patricia Wrede
I read this as a teenager and LOVED IT SO MUCH. I recently learned that there were actually four books in the series, so I reread this one to get caught up on the details before delving into books 2-4. Princess Cimorene is one of my favourite protagonists of all time.

Does anyone else hope to one day be Book Independent? As in, following enough authors that you don't need to actively seek out new books to read, but have a certain amount of new releases rolling in to cover at least a portion on the amount you like to read? I have Goodreads set up so it sends my a monthly email with new releases by authors I like, and right now I'm averaging 2-3 a month, but I would really like it to be more like 10-15 a month. My odds are good of reaching that by the end of this year, since I'm doing a thorough job of inputting everything I read and like into Goodreads, and I've added a shit-ton of authors so far this year.

[StarBright]

1. On Writing by Stephen King
2. Red at the Bone by Jaqueline Woodson (I will need to reread the end of this one again. I was getting sleepy as I finished and I think I need to soak in more of the beautiful writing.)
3. Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
4. House of Trelawney by Hannah Rothschild
5. Race and Reunion by David W. Blight (a book about how the US handled Reconstruction and how that narrative still effects things today. A bit dense but very glad I read it)
7. Differently Wired: Raising an Exceptional Child in a Conventional World by Deborah Reber
8. The City We Became by M.K. Jemison
9. Can't Even: How Millenials Became the Burnout Generation by Anne Hellen Petersen (Good but depressing?)
10. First Frost by Sarah Addison Allen
11. From Burnout to Breakthrough by Eileen McDargh
12. You'll Never Believe What Happened to Lacey by Amber Ruffin and Lacey Lamar (delightful! Amber Ruffin is one of my favorite comedians and her ability to approach a serious topic with humor was a balm I did not know I needed until I read it).
13. The Guest List by Lucy Foley
14. A Gentlemen in Moscow by Amor Towles
15. Behind the Attic Wall by Sylvia Cassedy

16. The Witches of New York by Ami McKay  . . . 2.5-3 stars. Nice and atmospheric, but not much there.
17. How to Manage Your Home Without Losing Your Mind by Dana K White
18. Parable of the Talents by Octavia Butler . . .  Hard, but worth it.

Gave Up On:
Speciman Days by Walt Whitman (poetic journals/memoirs not for me - neither are genres I love, and smush them together and I gave up. I picked it up because there were several references to it in the Civil War/Reconstruction section of Race and Reunion.)

[sui generis]

1. East of Eden, by John Steinbeck (Jan 2).
2. A Promised Land, by Barack Obama (Jan 5) (audio).
3. King Leopold's Ghost, by Adam Hochschild (Jan 17).
4. Every Heart a Doorway, by Seanan McGuire (Jan 18).
5. Plain Bad Heroines, by Emily M. Danforth (Jan 21) (audio).
6. Trick Mirror: Reflections on Self-Delusion, by Jia Tolentino (Jan 29).
7. The Guest List, by Lucy Foley (Jan 29) (audio).
8. A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeleine L'Engle (Feb 2).
9. The Tyranny of Merit: What’s Become of the Common Good?, by Michael J. Sandel (Feb 10) (audio).
10. The Forgotten Garden, by Kate Morton (Feb 27).
11. Sister Outsider: Essays and Speeches, by Audre Lord (Mar 4) (audio).
12. Ravenna: Capital of Empire, Crucible of Europe, by Judith Herrin (Mar 6).
13. Regeneration, by Pat Barker (Mar 9).

14. Red at the Bone, by Jacqueline Woodson (Mar 14) (audio).  Beautiful writing elevates a good plot and style to one of my favorites this year. The narrators were excellent.

[solon]

Next batch - into the triple digits now, with favorites highlighted.

Today is the 74th day of the year. Have you really read 100 books this year?

[Zikoris]

Next batch - into the triple digits now, with favorites highlighted.

Today is the 74th day of the year. Have you really read 100 books this year?

Yes, I read 1-3 books per day. I actually didn't realize how much I read until I started tracking it this year for the first time. Goodreads is super useful in that regard.

[solon]

Next batch - into the triple digits now, with favorites highlighted.

Today is the 74th day of the year. Have you really read 100 books this year?

Yes, I read 1-3 books per day. I actually didn't realize how much I read until I started tracking it this year for the first time. Goodreads is super useful in that regard.

You possess powers beyond the mere human.

[Zikoris]

Next batch - into the triple digits now, with favorites highlighted.

Today is the 74th day of the year. Have you really read 100 books this year?

Yes, I read 1-3 books per day. I actually didn't realize how much I read until I started tracking it this year for the first time. Goodreads is super useful in that regard.

You possess powers beyond the mere human.

Lol, I just have a LOT of time on my hands these days, and really love a good story. Hopefully I can give other people some ideas of books they might like as well.

[redhead84]

March

16) Luster by Raven Leilani (audio) - ★★★½
17) The Kindest Lie by Nancy Johnson (kindle) - ★★½
18) The Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd (audio) - ★★★★

[Raenia]

1	Gardening When it Counts: Growing Food in Hard Times	Steve Solomon	Library	TBR List	01/05/2021	Nonfiction - Home and Garden
2	Media Gothic: A Stroll Through State Street's Dark History	Laurie Hull, Matt Lake	Own	Other	1/8/2021	Nonfiction - History/Biography
3	Pretties	Scott Westerfield	Library	Sequel	1/16/2021	Fiction - Young Adult
4	Specials	Scott Westerfield	Library	Sequel	1/17/2021	Fiction - Young Adult
5	Extras	Scott Westerfield	Library	Sequel	1/18/2021	Fiction - Young Adult
6	Living the Good Life: How to Live Sanely and Simply in a Troubled World	Helen Nearing, Scott Nearing	Library	TBR List	1/21/2021	Nonfiction - Self-help
7	Stronghold	Melanie Rawn	Own	Reread	1/27/2021	Fiction - Fantasy
8	Rebecca	Daphne du Maurier	Library	TBR List	1/29/2021	General Fiction
9	The Black Company	Glen Cook	Library	TBR List	2/1/2021	Fiction - Fantasy
10	Shadows Linger	Glen Cook	Library	Sequel	2/3/2021	Fiction - Fantasy
11	From Our Home to Yours: Comfort Food to Give and Share	Joyce Goldstein	Own	Other	2/5/2021	Nonfiction - Home and Garden
12	The White Rose	Glen Cook	Library	Sequel	2/6/2021	Fiction - Fantasy
13	Spiralized: Quick and Healthy	Publications International, Ltd.	Own	Other	2/7/2021	Nonfiction - Home and Garden
14	The Dragon Token	Melanie Rawn	Own	Reread	2/11/2021	Fiction - Fantasy
15	Skybowl	Melanie Rawn	Own	Reread	2/15/2021	Fiction - Fantasy
16	The Lark and the Wren	Mercedes Lackey	Own	Reread	2/16/2021	Fiction - Fantasy
17	The Robin and the Kestrel	Mercedes Lackey	Own	Reread	2/20/2021	Fiction - Fantasy
18	The Eagle and the Nightingales	Mercedes Lackey	Own	Sequel	2/20/2021	Fiction - Fantasy
19	Spiritual Ecology: 10 Practices to Reawaken the Sacred in Everyday Life	Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee, Hilary Hart	Own	TBR List	2/21/0202	Nonfiction - Philosophy
20	Forest of a Thousand Lanterns	Julie C. Dao	Library	TBR List	2/22/2021	Fiction - Young Adult
21	A Cast of Corbies	Mercedes Lackey, Josepha Sherman	Own	Reread	2/24/2021	Fiction - Fantasy
22	Atomic Habits	James Clear	Library	TBR List	3/1/2021	Nonfiction - Self-help
23	Sabriel	Garth Nix	Own	Reread	3/2/2021	Fiction - Fantasy
24	Lirael	Garth Nix	Own	Reread	3/5/2021	Fiction - Fantasy
25	Designing Your Life: How to Build a Well-Lived, Joyful Life	Bill Burnett, Dave Evans	Library	TBR List	3/7/2021	Nonfiction - Self-help
26	Abhorsen	Garth Nix	Own	Reread	3/9/2021	Fiction - Fantasy

27	Practical Sigil Magic: Creating Personal Symbols for Success	Frater U.D.	Own	TBR List	3/9/2021	Nonfiction - Philosophy
28	Clariel	Garth Nix	Library	Sequel	3/10/2021	Fiction - Fantasy
29	When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty without Hurting the Poor... and Yourself	Steve Corbett, Brian Fikkert	Own	TBR List	3/14/2021	General Nonfiction
30	Goldenhand	Garth Nix	Library	Sequel	3/15/2021	Fiction - Fantasy

Nonfiction: 10/25
TBR List: 10/25
Philosophy/Spirituality: 2/5

[Zhiantara]

1. The House of Islam: a global history, Ed Husain. Really good overview of the history, basic tenets, strengths and problems of Islam, written by a devout believer.
2. Quiet: the power of introverts in a world that can't stop talking, Susan Cain. I read this whenever I need reminding that introversion is not a personal failing. Soooo good.
3. No Friend but the Mountains, Behrouz Boochani. The experiences of an asylum seeker detained on Manus Island. Hard to put down because it is excellent, hard to pick up again because it is not a feel-good read.

4. The explosive child, Dr. Ross Greene. Why standard behaviour management techniques don't work for kids with challenging behaviours and how to partner with them to change things and make life better for everyone.

Spent 4 weeks on Until the end of time by Brian Greene and only made it halfway through before I had to return it to the library. Particle physics is interesting but really hard to wrap my head around.

[nessness]

9. The Mind-Gut Connection by Emeran Mayer. This started off dull and I almost quit, but I'm glad I continued because the later chapters were really interesting.

10. His Only Wife by Peace Adzo Medie. Pretty good but not one of my favorites this year.

[okisok]

35. Blue Moon Rising (Forest Kingdom Book #1)-read about it here, fantasy about a second royal son who goes on a quest with unintended consequences.
36. The Spender's Guide to Debt-Free Living- read about it here, realized I'd already read it, but then read it again just because it's so good. I no longer have debt, but it's a good reminder of how far I've come since I originally read it right at the beginning of my Mustachian journey.
37. Inheriting Edith-pretty sure I read about it here, maid inherits a beach house and the deceased's mother as well.
38. Escapade-Jane Austen-esque comedy of manners with surprising twists.
39. Blood & Honor (Forest Kingdom Book #2) Lots more gore and violence than the first book, but incredibly satisfying ending.

Quit reading--A Court of Silver Flames. There are too many good books out there to slog through this one.

[StarBright]

14. Gorilla Mindset - Mike Cernovich. Sadly lacking in gorillas, but a concise well-rounded, whole-life approach to taking charge and improving your mental state, and ultimately life. Weirdly starts in a very male-centric way when the advice isn't really gender specific at all. Maybe a forced hook into his shtick target group, which he comes around to mention in the last few pages: general large industry players have moved a lot of their marketing focus away from men, creating a perceived niche to thrive in. Also shamelessly shills his website throughout, but a) the pages directed to are free and b) it's also exactly what he tells you to do. You are a business, market and sell your product.

White Male Supremacy is definitely Cernovich's shtick; he got his start as pick up artist/red pill guru, rose to prominence with Gamergate and eventually wandered into the alt-right, anti-semitic/white supremacist/rape apologist territory. 

I don't mean this to be a political response at all and I am happy to delete if it derails conversation. Your initial comment about "weirdly starts in a male-centric way" leads me to believe that you were unfamiliar with him. So I post the above to just give people a heads up that Cernovich has some pretty toxic ideas.

[sui generis]

14. Gorilla Mindset - Mike Cernovich. Sadly lacking in gorillas, but a concise well-rounded, whole-life approach to taking charge and improving your mental state, and ultimately life. Weirdly starts in a very male-centric way when the advice isn't really gender specific at all. Maybe a forced hook into his shtick target group, which he comes around to mention in the last few pages: general large industry players have moved a lot of their marketing focus away from men, creating a perceived niche to thrive in. Also shamelessly shills his website throughout, but a) the pages directed to are free and b) it's also exactly what he tells you to do. You are a business, market and sell your product.

White Male Supremacy is definitely Cernovich's shtick; he got his start as pick up artist/red pill guru, rose to prominence with Gamergate and eventually wandered into the alt-right, anti-semitic/white supremacist/rape apologist territory. 

I don't mean this to be a political response at all and I am happy to delete if it derails conversation. Your initial comment about "weirdly starts in a male-centric way" leads me to believe that you were unfamiliar with him. So I post the above to just give people a heads up that Cernovich has some pretty toxic ideas.

Thanks for the reminder.  I knew the name sounded familiar and couldn't remember why.

[kpd905]

1. Tiamat's Wrath by James S.A. Corey (1/5)
2. We are Legion (Bobiverse #1) by Dennis Taylor (1/13)
3. The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers (1/17)
4. For We are Many (Bobiverse #2) by Dennis Taylor (1/20)
5. All These Worlds (Bobiverse #3) by Dennis Taylor (1/23)
6. Personal by Lee Child (1/27)
7. A Closed and Common Orbit by Becky Chambers (1/30)
8. Ready Player Two by Ernest Cline (2/3)
9. Elantris by Brandon Sanderson (2/10)
10. Steelheart (Reckoners #1) by Brandon Sanderson (2/15)
11. Skyward by Brandon Sanderson (2/19)
12. Firefight (Reckoners #2) by Brandon Sanderson (2/21)
13. Calamity (Reckoners #3) by Brandon Sanderson (2/25)
14. Starsight by Brandon Sanderson (3/9)
15. Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson (3/9)
16. Alcatraz vs the Evil Librarians by Brandon Sanderson (3/11)
17. The Scrivener's Bones (Alcatraz #2) by Brandon Sanderson (3/13)
18. Alcatraz vs the Knights of Crystallia by Brandon Sanderson (3/16)
19. Alcatraz vs Shattered Lens by Brandon Sanderson (3/19)
20. The Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson (3/20)
21. White Sand by Brandon Sanderson (3/26)

[change_seeker]

1. The House of Islam: a global history, Ed Husain. Really good overview of the history, basic tenets, strengths and problems of Islam, written by a devout believer.
2. Quiet: the power of introverts in a world that can't stop talking, Susan Cain. I read this whenever I need reminding that introversion is not a personal failing. Soooo good.
3. No Friend but the Mountains, Behrouz Boochani. The experiences of an asylum seeker detained on Manus Island. Hard to put down because it is excellent, hard to pick up again because it is not a feel-good read.

4. The explosive child, Dr. Ross Greene. Why standard behaviour management techniques don't work for kids with challenging behaviours and how to partner with them to change things and make life better for everyone.

What did you think of The Explosive Child?  Did the strategies help?

I put it on hold at the library.

[Splashncash]

12. The Blue Zones Solution by Dan Buettner
13. Still Life by Louise Penny
14. The Dutch House by Anne Patchett (audiobook, narrated by Tom Hanks - quite enjoyable)

15. A Fatal Grace by Louise Penny
16. The Cruelest Month by Louise Penny
17. The Simple Path to Wealth by J. L. Collins
18. A Rule Against Murder by Louise Penny
19. The Brutal Telling by Louise Penny
20. A Walk Across France by Miles Morland
21. Bury Your Dead by Louise Penny

[Zhiantara]

What did you think of The Explosive Child?  Did the strategies help?

I put it on hold at the library.

I thought it was really good. Full disclosure - I don't have kids. I work with kids with wellbeing issues and read this because I've had a number of parents say recently that psychologists and paediatricians give their kids diagnoses which is an explanation for the challenging behaviours but doesn't actually change anything, so I went looking for an alternative.

I'm working with some parents now to implement the strategies and it's too early to see results yet but I'm hopeful. A lot of what is in the book is stuff I learnt when working with with challenging behaviours in schools, but explained much more clearly than I ever could. I would recommend it for all parents or anyone working with kids because it's about considering the needs of each child as an individual so it doesn't need to just be applied to 'challenging' kids, because, you know, we all have things we struggle with.

[Serendip]

1) Arctic Dreams, Barry Lopez
2) In Praise of Paths: Walking Through Time and Nature, Torbjorn Ekelund
3) A Mind at Home with Itself, Byron Katie
4) Trick Mirror: Reflections on Self Delusion, Jia Tolentino
5) Heida: A Shepherd At the Edge of the World,  Steinen Sigurðardóttir
6) Entangled Life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds & Shape Our Futures, Merlin Sheldrake
7) The Stoic Challenge: A Philosophers Guide to Becoming Tougher Calmer and More Resilient, William B. Irving
8) The Push (fiction), Ashley Audrain
9) Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times, Katherine May
10) Relax, Dammit!: A User's Guide to the Age of Anxiety, Timothy Caulfield
11) Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance, Angela Duckworth
12) Nothing To See Here (fiction), Kevin Wilson
13) Oliver Twist (fiction/audiobook), Charles Dickens
14) Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows (fiction), Balli Kaur Jaswal *bookclub
15) Mountains of the Mind, Robert Macfarlane (audiobook)
16) Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants, Robin Wall Kimmerer
17) 1984, George Orwell (fiction, audiobook)
18) The Making of a Story: A Norton Guide to Creative Writing, Alice Laplante
19) The Road to Character, David Brooks
20) The Spenders Guide to Debt Free Living: Anna Newell-Jones
21) Shuggie Bains, Douglas Stuart (fiction, audiobook)
22) Disfigured: On Fairy Tales, Disability and Making Space, Amanda Leduc

recently finished/working on
23) The Mothers: Brit Bennett *bookclub --well written but I found the ending a bit unsatisfactory

24) Just Eat It: How intuitive eating can help you get your shit together around food: Laura Thomas, another interesting library find.  Pretty clear in it's refusal to accept 'wellness culture' as anything except dieting culture

25) Red Notice: A True Story of High Finance, Murder and One Man's Fight for Justice, Bill Browder *bookclub

[Zikoris]

Next 20, favourites marked:

101. Searching for Dragons - Patricia Wrede
102. Calling on Dragons - Patricia Wrede

103. Written in Red - Anne Bishop
104. Murder of Crows - Anne Bishop
105. Vision in Silver - Anne Bishop
106. Marked in Flesh - Anne Bishop
107. Etched in Bone - Anne Bishop
108. Lake Silence - Anne Bishop
109. Wild Country - Anne Bishop
This has catapulted to my number two spot in favourite book series ever, a gritty urban fantasy series with amazing characters, an absolutely fascinating and creative set of supernatural societies living alongside humans, and a story that just sucks you right in. My boyfriend also loved this series, which is unusual as we tend to have very different book tastes.

110. Blood Bound - Patricia Briggs
111. Gild - Raven Kennedy
112. Glint - Raven Kennedy

113. I, Robot - Isaac Asimov
This was so, so good. It was so interesting reading science fiction with highly advanced technology, like AI and interstellar space travel, yet computers don't exist.

114. Trickery - Jaymin Eve
115. Persuasion - Jaymin Eve
116. Seduction - Jaymin Eve
117. Strength - Jaymin Eve
118. Fierce Heart - Tara Grayce
119. War Bound - Tara Grayce

120. Iron Kissed - Patricia Briggs
Book 3 in the Mercy Thompson series. I found the first book in the series a bit slow, the second one much better, and this one REALLY good. Urban fantasy series about a coyote-shifting woman and the various supernaturals, especially werewolves and vampires, but many other as well.

Also, I just got a new Kobo that can connect right into my local library's ebook collection, which is amazing.

[sui generis]

1. East of Eden, by John Steinbeck (Jan 2).
2. A Promised Land, by Barack Obama (Jan 5) (audio).
3. King Leopold's Ghost, by Adam Hochschild (Jan 17).
4. Every Heart a Doorway, by Seanan McGuire (Jan 18).
5. Plain Bad Heroines, by Emily M. Danforth (Jan 21) (audio).
6. Trick Mirror: Reflections on Self-Delusion, by Jia Tolentino (Jan 29).
7. The Guest List, by Lucy Foley (Jan 29) (audio).
8. A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeleine L'Engle (Feb 2).
9. The Tyranny of Merit: What’s Become of the Common Good?, by Michael J. Sandel (Feb 10) (audio).
10. The Forgotten Garden, by Kate Morton (Feb 27).
11. Sister Outsider: Essays and Speeches, by Audre Lord (Mar 4) (audio).
12. Ravenna: Capital of Empire, Crucible of Europe, by Judith Herrin (Mar 6).
13. Regeneration, by Pat Barker (Mar 9).
14. Red at the Bone, by Jacqueline Woodson (Mar 14) (audio).

15. River of Teeth, by Sarah Gailey (Mar 7) (audio). The premise sounded good but ultimately not my cup of tea.  And as with many audiobooks lately, the narrator didn't do it for me.

16. The Ministry for the Future, by Kim Stanley Robinson (Mar 27). Maybe suffered a bit for trying to be all things to all people, but had some interesting pieces.

17. Shopgirl, by Steve Martin (Mar 27). I actively disliked some parts, really loved others.  I was thinking the writing was often lovely but the plot was not, and enjoyed marveling at the way this book (now over 20 years old) preceded a lot of . . .literary techniques? I've seen used a lot in the intervening time.  In the end it all came together pretty well for me and I gave it 4 stars.

[nessness]

11. Farming on the Wild Side:The Evolution of a Regenerative Organic Farm and Nursery by John Haydem and Nancy Hayden. Meh - some interesting parts but unfocused.
 
12. Entangled Life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds & Shape Our Futures by Merlin Sheldrake. Recommend - it was an interesting look at a topic I didn't know much about.

[Linea_Norway]

The way of kings by Brandon Sanderson.

[Wolfpack Mustachian]

Next 20, favourites marked:

101. Searching for Dragons - Patricia Wrede
102. Calling on Dragons - Patricia Wrede

103. Written in Red - Anne Bishop
104. Murder of Crows - Anne Bishop
105. Vision in Silver - Anne Bishop
106. Marked in Flesh - Anne Bishop
107. Etched in Bone - Anne Bishop
108. Lake Silence - Anne Bishop
109. Wild Country - Anne Bishop
This has catapulted to my number two spot in favourite book series ever, a gritty urban fantasy series with amazing characters, an absolutely fascinating and creative set of supernatural societies living alongside humans, and a story that just sucks you right in. My boyfriend also loved this series, which is unusual as we tend to have very different book tastes.

110. Blood Bound - Patricia Briggs
111. Gild - Raven Kennedy
112. Glint - Raven Kennedy

113. I, Robot - Isaac Asimov
This was so, so good. It was so interesting reading science fiction with highly advanced technology, like AI and interstellar space travel, yet computers don't exist.

114. Trickery - Jaymin Eve
115. Persuasion - Jaymin Eve
116. Seduction - Jaymin Eve
117. Strength - Jaymin Eve
118. Fierce Heart - Tara Grayce
119. War Bound - Tara Grayce

120. Iron Kissed - Patricia Briggs
Book 3 in the Mercy Thompson series. I found the first book in the series a bit slow, the second one much better, and this one REALLY good. Urban fantasy series about a coyote-shifting woman and the various supernaturals, especially werewolves and vampires, but many other as well.

Also, I just got a new Kobo that can connect right into my local library's ebook collection, which is amazing.

Which begs the question, what is your favorite book series ever :-)?

[StarBright]

1. On Writing by Stephen King
2. Red at the Bone by Jaqueline Woodson (I will need to reread the end of this one again. I was getting sleepy as I finished and I think I need to soak in more of the beautiful writing.)
3. Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
4. House of Trelawney by Hannah Rothschild
5. Race and Reunion by David W. Blight (a book about how the US handled Reconstruction and how that narrative still effects things today. A bit dense but very glad I read it)
7. Differently Wired: Raising an Exceptional Child in a Conventional World by Deborah Reber
8. The City We Became by M.K. Jemison
9. Can't Even: How Millenials Became the Burnout Generation by Anne Hellen Petersen (Good but depressing?)
10. First Frost by Sarah Addison Allen
11. From Burnout to Breakthrough by Eileen McDargh
12. You'll Never Believe What Happened to Lacey by Amber Ruffin and Lacey Lamar (delightful! Amber Ruffin is one of my favorite comedians and her ability to approach a serious topic with humor was a balm I did not know I needed until I read it).
13. The Guest List by Lucy Foley
14. A Gentlemen in Moscow by Amor Towles
15. Behind the Attic Wall by Sylvia Cassedy
16. The Witches of New York by Ami McKay  . . .
17. How to Manage Your Home Without Losing Your Mind by Dana K White
18. Parable of the Talents by Octavia Butler

Gave Up On:
Speciman Days by Walt Whitman

19. Piranesi by Susanna Clarke . . . 3.5 stars. I had the same issues with it that I had with Jonathan Strange, but this book was so much shorter that I was able to get through the first half and I found the second half to be totally enthralling.
20. UnSelfie: Why Empathetic Kids Succeed in Our All-About-Me World by Michelle Borba   . . .I'm taking a break from parenting books, I'm not getting anything from them anymore
21. Ballet in the Cold War: a Soviet - American Exchange by Anne Searcy . . . academic, but really interesting!
22. Bringing Down the Duke by Evie Dunmore  . . 4 stars here! It was a happy and well written palate cleanser. Worked just like sorbet! A typical regency style plot, but set in the Victorian period starring suffragettes (it worked).

[Zikoris]

Which begs the question, what is your favorite book series ever :-)?

The Pillars of Reality by Jack Campbell, a steampunk/fantasy/dystopic series that just sucked me in like no other book series. Twelve books total including all the spinoffs. Here's the first one to give you an idea of the story: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23379245-the-dragons-of-dorcastle

[change_seeker]

Finished:

1.  Farmer Boy, by Laura Ingalls Wilder.  Listened to the audiobook with the kids on our Christmas trip to my parents.  Hearing the chores for those kids makes me think I should expect more from mine around the house!
2.  Jubal Sackett, by Louis L'Amour.  Nice change of pace from his normal formula.  The conjuring of fire to pull one over on his wife seemed...cheap.
3.  Last of the Breed, by Louis L'Amour.  Enjoyed, probably the fourth or fifth time I've read.
4.  The Eagle of the Ninth, by Rosemary Sutcliffe.  Took me a bit to get used to all the Roman terminology.  I think I'll have to watch the movie now to bemoan how it doesn't follow the book.
5.  The Silver Branch, by Rosemary Sutcliffe.  Probably my favorite of the trilogy.
6.  The Lantern Bearers, by Rosemary Sutcliffe.
7.  Comstock Lode, by Louis L'Amour.  Good epic tale to be bedridden with while awaiting COVID results.
8.  The Haunted Mesa, by Louis L'Amour.  Western Tough Guy + Sci Fi (parallel world that explains Anasazi disappearance)
9.  Atomic Habits, by James Clear.  Now to try some of his suggestions!
10. Galloway, by Louis L'Amour.

10. The Bible New Testament, The Message translation, by various authors.

[Wolfpack Mustachian]

Which begs the question, what is your favorite book series ever :-)?

The Pillars of Reality by Jack Campbell, a steampunk/fantasy/dystopic series that just sucked me in like no other book series. Twelve books total including all the spinoffs. Here's the first one to give you an idea of the story: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23379245-the-dragons-of-dorcastle

Thanks! I'll have to check it out.

[grantmeaname]

Previous years: 2018 | 2019 | 2020

January
1. With Blood Upon the Sand by Bradley Beaulieu ★★★★☆
2. A Veil of Spears by Bradley Beaulieu ★★★★☆
3. Beneath the Twisted Trees by Bradley Beaulieu ★★★★☆
February
4. Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb ★★★☆☆
5. Foundation by Isaac Asimov ★★★★☆
6. When Jackals Storm the Walls by Bradley Beaulieu ★★★★☆
7. The Poppy War by RF Kuang ★★★☆☆
8. Under Heaven by Guy Gavriel Kay ★★★★☆
9. Possum Living by Dolly Freed ★★★★☆
10. The Secret Life of Groceries by Benjamin Lorr ★★★★★

March
11. River of Stars by Guy Gavriel Kay ★★★★☆
12. Wrong About Japan by Peter Carey ★★★★☆
13. Eccentric Orbits: The Iridium Story by Peter Bloom ★★★★☆
14. Autumn Light by Pico Iyer ★★★☆☆
15. Wicked Fox by Kat Cho ★★★★☆
16. Vicious Spirits by Kat Cho ★★★★☆

[ahptex]

(1) Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler
(2) The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron
(3) Sex and Vanity by Kevin Kwan
(4) We are Called to Rise by Laura McBride
(5) Gathering Moss by Robin Wall Kimmerer
(6) Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
(7) Parable of the Talents by Octavia Butler
(8) Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann (re-read for book club)

(9) Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout
(10) The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
(11) New York 2140 by Kim Stanley Robinson
(12) Dumbing Us Down by John Taylor Gatto

[Linea_Norway]

Black Water by Joyce Carol Oates.

[redhead84]

March

16) Luster by Raven Leilani (audio) - ★★★½
17) The Kindest Lie by Nancy Johnson (kindle) - ★★½
18) The Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd (audio) - ★★★★

19) The Roommate by Rosie Danan (kindle) - ★★½
20) The Office of Historical Corrections by Danielle Evans (audio) - ★★★★★
21) Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body by Roxane Gay (audio) - ★★★★½
22) Open Book by Jessica Simpson (audio) - ★★★

[Splashncash]

14. The Dutch House by Anne Patchett (audiobook, narrated by Tom Hanks - quite enjoyable)
15. A Fatal Grace by Louise Penny
16. The Cruelest Month by Louise Penny
17. The Simple Path to Wealth by J. L. Collins
18. A Rule Against Murder by Louise Penny
19. The Brutal Telling by Louise Penny
20. A Walk Across France by Miles Morland
21. Bury Your Dead by Louise Penny

22. Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher
23. A Trick of the Light by Louise Penny

[kpd905]

1. Tiamat's Wrath by James S.A. Corey (1/5)
2. We are Legion (Bobiverse #1) by Dennis Taylor (1/13)
3. The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers (1/17)
4. For We are Many (Bobiverse #2) by Dennis Taylor (1/20)
5. All These Worlds (Bobiverse #3) by Dennis Taylor (1/23)
6. Personal by Lee Child (1/27)
7. A Closed and Common Orbit by Becky Chambers (1/30)
8. Ready Player Two by Ernest Cline (2/3)
9. Elantris by Brandon Sanderson (2/10)
10. Steelheart (Reckoners #1) by Brandon Sanderson (2/15)
11. Skyward by Brandon Sanderson (2/19)
12. Firefight (Reckoners #2) by Brandon Sanderson (2/21)
13. Calamity (Reckoners #3) by Brandon Sanderson (2/25)
14. Starsight by Brandon Sanderson (3/9)
15. Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson (3/9)
16. Alcatraz vs the Evil Librarians by Brandon Sanderson (3/11)
17. The Scrivener's Bones (Alcatraz #2) by Brandon Sanderson (3/13)
18. Alcatraz vs the Knights of Crystallia by Brandon Sanderson (3/16)
19. Alcatraz vs Shattered Lens by Brandon Sanderson (3/19)
20. The Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson (3/20)
21. White Sand by Brandon Sanderson (3/26)
22. The Dark Talent by Brandon Sanderson (3/30)
23. Legion by Brandon Sanderson (3/30)
24. The Arrest by Jonathan Lethem (4/2)
25. The Last Unicorn by Peter Beagle (4/3)
26. Make Me by Lee Child (4/8)
27. Arcanum Unbounded by Brandon Sanderson (4/12)
28. Remote Control by Nnedi Okorafor (4/14)
29. Legend by Marie Lu (4/20)
30. Night School by Lee Child (4/21)
31. Prodigy by Marie Lu (4/24)
32. Midnight Line by Lee Child (4/26)
33. Later by Stephen King (4/29)
34. Records of a Spaceborn Few by Becky Chambers (5/1)
35. Past Tense by Lee Child (5/6)
36. Champion by Marie Lu (5/6)
37. Rebel by Marie Lu (5/10)
38. Winter World by AG Riddle (5/14)
39. The Solar War by AG Riddle (5/21)

[Linea_Norway]

How to avoid a climate disaster by Bill Gates.

[change_seeker]

Finished:

1.  Farmer Boy, by Laura Ingalls Wilder.  Listened to the audiobook with the kids on our Christmas trip to my parents.  Hearing the chores for those kids makes me think I should expect more from mine around the house!
2.  Jubal Sackett, by Louis L'Amour.  Nice change of pace from his normal formula.  The conjuring of fire to pull one over on his wife seemed...cheap.
3.  Last of the Breed, by Louis L'Amour.  Enjoyed, probably the fourth or fifth time I've read.
4.  The Eagle of the Ninth, by Rosemary Sutcliffe.  Took me a bit to get used to all the Roman terminology.  I think I'll have to watch the movie now to bemoan how it doesn't follow the book.
5.  The Silver Branch, by Rosemary Sutcliffe.  Probably my favorite of the trilogy.
6.  The Lantern Bearers, by Rosemary Sutcliffe.
7.  Comstock Lode, by Louis L'Amour.  Good epic tale to be bedridden with while awaiting COVID results.
8.  The Haunted Mesa, by Louis L'Amour.  Western Tough Guy + Sci Fi (parallel world that explains Anasazi disappearance)
9.  Atomic Habits, by James Clear.  Now to try some of his suggestions!
10. Galloway, by Louis L'Amour.
11. The Bible New Testament, The Message translation, by various authors.

12. The Lonesome Gods, by Louis L'Amour.

[FLBiker]

I've never counted the books I read, but you may inspire me to do it next year!

Here are some I've read in 2021 that are really good:

Digital Minimalism
When Breath Becomes Air
Atomic Habits
Messy
Educated
Piranesi
Hunger

[Linea_Norway]

Nomadland by Jessica Bruder.

[grantmeaname]

I just finished The Soul of a New Machine yesterday! too funny

[Serendip]

...
21) Shuggie Bains, Douglas Stuart (fiction, audiobook)
22) Disfigured: On Fairy Tales, Disability and Making Space, Amanda Leduc
23) The Mothers: Brit Bennett *bookclub
24) Just Eat It: How intuitive eating can help you get your shit together around food: Laura Thomas
25) Red Notice: A True Story of High Finance, Murder and One Man's Fight for Justice, Bill Browder *bookclub

working on/recently finished
26) The Minimalist and Decluttering Lifestyle (audiobook), Samuel Newell---not much new in this but it was free on the library rental site so thought I'd give it a whirl

27) Hope in the Dark: Untold Histories, Wild Possibilities, Rebecca Solnit--enjoying this, a perspective shift. She addresses social justice/political issues in a way that highlights how much good has been accomplished rather than looking at what a mess we are in

28) Me, Chi and Bruce Lee: Adventures in Martial Arts, Brian Preston--some funny bits, I'm not a total fan of the writing style or dude-ish humour but an interesting concept and easy read

29) World of Wonders: In Praise of Fireflies, Whale Sharks, and Other Astonishments, Aimee Nezhukumatathil --small nature essays but combined with personal narratives and reflections on racism and otherness, loving it

[change_seeker]

Finished:

1.  Farmer Boy, by Laura Ingalls Wilder.  Listened to the audiobook with the kids on our Christmas trip to my parents.  Hearing the chores for those kids makes me think I should expect more from mine around the house!
2.  Jubal Sackett, by Louis L'Amour.  Nice change of pace from his normal formula.  The conjuring of fire to pull one over on his wife seemed...cheap.
3.  Last of the Breed, by Louis L'Amour.  Enjoyed, probably the fourth or fifth time I've read.
4.  The Eagle of the Ninth, by Rosemary Sutcliffe.  Took me a bit to get used to all the Roman terminology.  I think I'll have to watch the movie now to bemoan how it doesn't follow the book.
5.  The Silver Branch, by Rosemary Sutcliffe.  Probably my favorite of the trilogy.
6.  The Lantern Bearers, by Rosemary Sutcliffe.
7.  Comstock Lode, by Louis L'Amour.  Good epic tale to be bedridden with while awaiting COVID results.
8.  The Haunted Mesa, by Louis L'Amour.  Western Tough Guy + Sci Fi (parallel world that explains Anasazi disappearance)
9.  Atomic Habits, by James Clear.  Now to try some of his suggestions!
10. Galloway, by Louis L'Amour.
11. The Bible New Testament, The Message translation, by various authors.
12. The Lonesome Gods, by Louis L'Amour.

13. Hondo, by Louis L'Amour.

[Need2Save]

Recently Finished
9. Carnegie's Maid, Marie Benedict
10. The Giver of Stars, Jojo Moyes (Book Club)
11. The Girl from the Channel Islands, Jenny Lecoat

Currently on:
12. The Overstory, Richard Powers

ooohh - I hope The Overstory is good. I enjoyed Orfeo a couple of years ago and my husband just finished The Time of Our Singing and absolutely loved it.

It was good. I had never read Richard Powers before, so I didn't know what to expect. I thought at first it was a series of short stories, but in the end they all end up related to one-another in unexpected ways. So I enjoyed that part and did learn far more than I ever thought I would about trees, forests, and forestry management (or mismanagement). It was thought provoking. Also a long read.

Recently Finished
13. The Book of Lost Friends, Lisa Wingate (Bookclub)

Currently on:
14. Before We Were Yours, Lisa Wingate (I enjoyed the other book so much, I decided to read this one too.
15. Notorious RBG, Irin Carmon, Shana Knizhnik (Bookclub)

[Zikoris]

Next 20, favourites marked - I decided to throw in some non-fiction for a change.

121. Bone Crossed - Patricia Briggs
122. Silver Borne - Patricia Briggs
123. Alpha & Omega - Patricia Briggs
124. River Marked - Patricia Briggs
125. Cry Wolf - Patricia Briggs
126. Hunting Ground - Patricia Briggs
127. Frost Burned - Patricia Briggs
I'm continuing to work my way through the amazing Mercy Thompson series, and loving it.

128. Death Wind - Tara Grayce
129. Troll Queen - Tara Grayce
130. Rule of Wolves - Leigh Bardugo
131. Loserthink - Scott Adams
132. Not Another Vampire Story - Cassandra Gannon
133. How to Lie with Statistics - Darrell Huff

134. Lives of the Stoics - Ryan Holiday
A great introduction to stoic history and philosophy. I'm looking to get a lot more into this area, as the concepts really resonate with me.

135. Chosen - K.F. Breene
136. Hunted - K.F. Breene
137. Bad Science - Ben Goldacre

138. Buyology - Martin Lindstrom
A fascinating and terrifying look into the world of neuro-marketing. I learned so much about the subtle things companies do that don't even register as marketing, yet are highly effective.

139. The Upside of Irrationality - Dan Ariely

140. The Grey Bastards - Jonathan French
A hilariously crude epic fantasy about half-orc warriors who ride giant boars instead of horses. I thought at 34 I was all done learning new swear words, but nope.