I mentioned in my Q&A last week that my non-writing life has been unexpectedly chaotic this year. I’ve not been able to hike as much as I’ve wanted to, and I’ve not had time to work on some of my other creative goals. These things, I expected. Something has to give, right? But a surprising consequence of the chaos has been that I’m in a bit of a reading rut.
I read a lot. Normally over 100 books a year. I like reading. It’s a thing.
But this year, I’ve only read 24 book so far, and I’m having trouble getting excited about new books or looking for my next read. It’s weird, actually, and I’m certain it’s not permanent.
Which is where I hope y’all can come in! What are some of your favorite reads from this year so far? What should I read next? What book can I absolutely not miss? Send me recommendations! I like lots of different genres, and I love discovering new things. If you read it and liked it, tell me about it.
And I’ll get myself out of this rut, one story at a time.
A Virginia Writer's Diary 
Same, sister, same! I have had a hard time reading this year. I’ve done about 20 books this year and I feel like I could have read so much more. Favourite books this year – all Madeline Miller’s books, A Thousand Ships by Natalie Hayes, The Forest of Enchantments – Chitra Banerjee, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Annie Barrows and Mary Ann Shaffer
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I love Madeline Miller! I read Circe last week, and I’m still thinking about it. It took me ages to start it, but once I did, I couldn’t put it down. Thanks for the other recommendations, too! I feel like it’s been such a weird year…
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Try Baer Charlton’s Stoneheart. It was nominated for a Pulitzer back when he wrote it. I also found his book, I Drink Coffee and Make Shit Up, a great help in my writing.
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Thanks for the recommendations! I’ve got both of these on my list!
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100 books a year!! Wish I could do that! Keep Reading📚
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It’s an average – some years I read a little more, some years a little less, but my favorite thing to do on the weekends is just to sit down in a comfy chair and read. 🙂
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I think I am at about 10 books. But I have read bits and pieces of many more!
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I have a few books that I’ve been reading in bits and pieces, too. It’s not my usual routine, but I’m taking what I can get this year. It’s kind of fun, actually, to put something down and come back to it with a fresh perspective. 🙂
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What I learned this year, that may not be news to anyone else, is that you can read a sample of a book on a Kindle reader. I guess the idea is it is like picking it up in the store and reading a chapter before you buy it. I love this feature, it has allowed me to start many books during the pandemic.
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I actually didn’t know that! But I will certainly be taking advantage of it now.
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100 books a year? I wish I could read a gazillion books too.
You’re doing great! It’s been a chaotic year, totally.
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Thank you! It definitely has! 100 isn’t a hard and fast goal, but it’s an average. I do a lot of reading on weekends and in the evenings, so the number tends to tick up pretty quickly. But this year, all of my free time seems to be spoken for. The world’s making up for lost time, I think.
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Here are a few more of my recent favorites:
Rosebloom, Christine Keleny (great 1930’s coming of age story)
A Man Called Ove, Fredrik Backman (great fiction, turns your opinion 180 degrees)
Dutch Girl, Robert Matzen (WW II Biography of Audrey Hepburn)
The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared, Jonas Jonasson
The Accidental Further Adventures of the Hundred-Year-Old Man, Jonas Jonasson
The Girl Who Saved the King of Sweden: A Novel, Jonas Jonasson and Rachel Willson-Broyles
Devil in the White City, Erik Larson
H. H. Holmes: The True History of the White City Devil, Adam Selzer
The Hindenburg Murders, Max Allan Collins (Many other good ones, if you like his style)
Flying Blind (fictional story of Amelia Earhart’s demise), Max Allan Collins
“V. I.” Warshawski novels (Chicago Private Investigator), Sara Paretsky
Carl Hiaasen books: Skintight, Skinny Dip, Sick Puppy, Stormy Weather, Tourist Season, Bad Monkey and many more
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Thank you! This is a great list!
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I usually read novels – classics are my go to, but I occasionally read nonfiction. I am currently reading, The Sweetness of a Simple Life, by Diana Beresford-Kroeger. The author is a scientist who also writes beautifully. The book is organized into short (4-6 page) essays about a variety of topics.
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That sounds really interesting! I shall add it to my list. 🙂
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Barnes & Noble paperback version Megan and the Mysterious Boy
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/megan-and-the-mysterious-boy-jeanne-knapp/1136872081
Barnes & Noble paperback version of my second book, Megan and the Suspicious Visitors:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/megan-and-the-suspicious-visitors-jeanne-knapp/1137014781
Barnes & Noble paperback version of book #3 Megan and the Sinister Minister on Barnes & Noble website:
https://m.barnesandnoble.com/w/megan-and-the-sinister-minister-jeanne-knapp/1137171742?ean=9781663518651
Barnes & Noble paperback edition of my fourth book Megan and the Mischievous Musicians
https://m.barnesandnoble.com/w/megan-and-the-mischievous-musicians-jeanne-knapp/1138406963?ean=9781666212051
Amazon Books: Megan and the Mysterious Boy:
Amazon Paperback version of Book #2, Megan and the Suspicious Visitors:
Amazon paperback Book #3 Megan and the Sinister Minister (Megan Mattson)
Megan and the Mischievous Musicians https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08P98ZJPX/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_-nbXFb4QN313A
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Thank you! I’ll check these out! 🙂
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My books are geared toward kids but adults have enjoyed (or so they told me). 😊❤️
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I love kids’ books. 🙂 I worked with children at a library for my first job out of college, and came to really appreciate and enjoy books for young readers.
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Good! I hope you enjoy mine! 😊❤️
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I started doing reading roundups this year, so I have Jan – May on my blog if you want to see the covers and a little blurb about them since I don’t like to give star-ratings to books.
Here’s March’s: https://lanivcox.com/2021/03/29/%f0%9f%93%9a-reading-roundup-march-2021/
There’s also a link to a Book Like Foo, which is a search engine that gives you book recommendations based on books you already like.
Also you might try shorter novels as you get back into your reading groove like Hinton’s The Outsiders. Good luck! xo
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Thanks for all of these!! I’ll definitely check out your posts! 🙂
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Where the Crawdads Sing was amazing!!
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I’ve seen that one everywhere! I’ll add it to my list. 🙂
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It’s a great read!
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