What's Next? discussion
2021 reading strategy and goals!
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Happy New Year and best wishes to my online book buddy club!I am happy I managed to beat my original target of 20 books (revised upwards 3x to 52) by reading 65. The Midnight Library was my last book of the year and a fitting one, although to Eric’s point, I felt it was a bit overhyped.
This is a summary of my 2020 patterns:
By author’s gender- female (46) / male (19)
By author’s race - Caucasian (44) / BIPOC (21)
By type - fiction (56) / non-fiction (9)
By age - pub 2020 or contemporary (63) / classics (2)
Clearly I enjoy new books (the classics ratio is shameless!) and I bet I will continue to keep track of new books coming out each month to read the most anticipated of 2021. But this year I will make the following changes: read 5+ classics, less “women’s fiction”, get to more of my business TBR books, and keep increasing my ratio of BIPOC authors, which improved after June 2020. Good luck all!!
Mod
I am afraid to check back on the goals I set for 2020, but one thing I find comforting is the different genres, balance of fiction and non-fiction, as well as the number of books I managed to read last year.
I am also ashame to say I did not managed to read one single classic! So to start the year I'm jumping right into a couple of novels written by well known authors that are no longer with us. I would also like to *finish* at least one business book on the FT list. Another thing to attempt is reading the very first book of a couple series, namely Daniel Silva's Gabriel Allon series and also Michael Connelly's Bosch series.
There have been some highly recommended titles by members of this group, ones I do not normally think I'd enjoy. So this year I am going to make an effort to check them out.
That is for now, another happy year of reading to you all!
A happy and healthy new year to all. This will be my third year with this wonderful group. Even though I choose not to rate or review any books (not my strong point) - I read all of your reviews. I have chosen to read some of my books because of your reviews and have broaden my horizons. Thank you and happy reading in 2021.
Mod
Apologized that i didn’t write many book reviews in 2020! Although i read more than i have targeted, I did not reach 50 books for 2020, which was so close (49 books)!
None of us really change over 2020, we learn a ton (and for some how to really wash your hands for the first time lol) and treasure more .... and for me, I baked more, I cooked more and connect with family & friends through my baking/ cooking lens.
Let’s move beyond 2020 and start thinking new reading ideas and other new adventures for 2021.
Although binge-watching TV probably help killing ‘StayAtHome’ time, it really should be an occasional treat rather than your main source of intellectual stimulation.... Eric and I set rules that no TV before 6pm .... although we did bend that rules when The Crown came out in Nov.
So our mission continues - tell the world ... Reading is very very good for us. Research shows that regular reading improves brain connectivity, aids in sleep readiness, reduces stress, fights depression symptoms, contributes to a longer life..... it is never too late to begin taking advantage of the many physical and psychological benefits waiting for you in the pages of a good book.
I look forward to all your sharing! Happy Reading!
XOXO
Anna
In terms of reading strategy, I’m planning a few adjustments. Namely, I’m targeting slightly less books (50), which should create time to read longer novels. I’m also hoping to read more of my favorite authors; start series that I’ve missed; and read fewer “new” books, which can be overhyped.
In terms of my “short” list:
- Shuggie Bain (2020 Booker prize)
- Hillary Mantel Wolf Hall trilogy
- James Ellroy American Tabloid (and Underworld trilogy)
- Agent Sonya
- The Powerful and the Dammed
- Stamped from the Beginning
I look forward to reading your thoughts and suggestions.
Fyi, 2021 will be the 5th year of this group. Comments have more than doubled over the time period!
All the best in 2021, which is also Year of the Ox. Oxes are known for strength and determination, which is exactly what we need!
For reference, a few links collected over the last few weeks:
10 Books that will connect you in a Socially Distanced Year
https://www.npr.org/2020/12/04/941982...
Top 10 Crime Novels of 2020
https://writtenbysime.com/2020/12/11/...
The Essential John Le Carre
https://www.nytimes.com/article/best-...
Tana French Books Recommendations
https://www.elle.com/culture/books/a3...