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Your best and worst reads of 2021
Marie, what a list of best books! I enjoy reading your reviews each month. Because i mostly read free books from Overdrive, from my library, i often cannot find titles folks here mention. Eventually i will probably end up going to a physical bookstore for some. The books by Konrath have rated highly by a couple of folks here but i can find none available to me on Overdrive. That's an example of what i mean.Meanwhile, i relish reading about the books and characters, so thank all who share reviews and opinions.
I remember the hullabaloo caused by Tryon & his Harvest Home when it was first published in the '70s. I suspected at the time, when i tried and didn't finish it, that the excitement was because he was best known as an actor prior to publication. Although, to be fair, his first book The Other was decent, so maybe i'm just full of fluff myself. :-)
Thanks for sharing your favs and not-so-favs.
Marie wrote: Those are my wrap up thoughts on bad books. But otherwise I had a good reading year as I read tons of great books this year! You certainly did have a wonderful reading year, Marie. Do you know the total number of books you read? Was 2021 your all time high?
@Alias: My total number of books read was 163 and yes it was my all-time high. I have been on this site since 2011 and I have never read more than 120 books. I think back in 2018 or 2019 I didn't even reach my goal of 100 books. But I read quite a few books this year under 200 pages so that might be why the total count is so high. Though some of those dnf books count towards that reading goal too but not much I can do about that as Goodreads counts them whether I finish them or not. I am happy with what I accomplished this year. I surprised myself with reading that many! lol
@Madrano: I can understand about getting the books from your library - I have about 600 on my wish list que from my library that I need to read at some point. lol. I am surprised though about Konrath not being on your library overdrive as that is where I found most of his books. My library had almost all his books except for a couple or so. Thank you for reading my reviews and liking them. I have enjoyed putting them up over here and I love to share my reviews and opinions over here as you all are great.
As far as the Tyron book - that makes sense with why the book was popular and it still seems to be but it is not for me.
Thankfully they are millions of other books we have out there to keep us all from getting bored. lol :)
Marie wrote: "@Alias: My total number of books read was 163 and yes it was my all-time high. I have been on this site since 2011 and I have never read more than 120 books. I think back in 2018 or 2019 I didn't e..."Wow ! Well done, Marie. Reading 163 books is simply amazing.
Marie wrote: "@Madrano: I can understand about getting the books from your library - I have about 600 on my wish list que from my library that I need to read at some point. lol. I am surprised though about Konra..."I checked the NY overdrive and it's not there. Which made me curious how Overdrive works. Here is some info I found.
Maybe if one of our BNC members works at a library they can give us more info.
---- Libraries typically pay between $20 and $65 per copy—an industry average of $40, according to one recent survey—compared with the $15 an individual might pay to buy the same ebook online.
----- Do authors get royalties from OverDrive?
They don't. A library purchases copies directly from publishers or from middlemen agencies like Amazon, and the publishers or middlemen pay the authors based on how many copies of the book the library orders. They buy the books.
----- Each library creates its own custom digital collection for their users. Your team will be able to browse OverDrive’s extensive catalog and select titles based on your library’s collection development goals. If you enable the “recommend to library” feature for your library, users will also be able to recommend titles from the entire OverDrive catalog for your library to purchase.
Q & A info on OverDrive
https://company.overdrive.com/public-...
madrano wrote: "Jennifer, congratulations for completing the William Manchester tome. I read a third, put it down and never resumed. It was detailed and well written but my interest flagged. It's ne..."Heh. I started it about 30 years ago right after my parents bought it for me, got about a third in, put it down, and never picked it back up til this year on audio.
Alias Reader wrote: "Wow ! Well done, Marie. Reading 163 books is simply amazing...."Thank you so much for the star reader badge, Alias! 😊 You made my day! ❤️
Alias Reader wrote: "Marie wrote: "@Madrano: I can understand about getting the books from your library - I have about 600 on my wish list que from my library that I need to read at some point. lol. I am surprised thou..."That is interesting about how the Overdrive works. I wonder if the Libby library app works the same way. I have that option at my library as well which I don't know if the Libby app has more books available as I haven't tried it yet. I was going to try it but I didn't want the interference with the Overdrive app as I don't know if I would be able to do both or not.
I believe Libby is a later version of Overdrive; they are the same thing in terms of holdings.
John wrote: "I believe Libby is a later version of Overdrive; they are the same thing in terms of holdings."Thank you, John. Then I will just leave it as it is with having just the overdrive. :)
Marie wrote: "@Alias: My total number of books read was 163 and yes it was my all-time high. I have been on this site since 2011 and I have never read more than 120 books. I think back in 2018 or 2019 I didn't e..."Remarkable, Marie! You deserve that badge Alias awarded you. This year i read 107 and am surprised. Several were on the slight side and few were over 400 pages. I am pleased with myself, nonetheless.
Reading is the real reward, of course. The fact you also review the books you read increases my admiration, as i do not take the time to do so. Naturally that leads your readers to add to their TBR lists!
Alias, i, too, appreciate the info on Overdrive. I wasn't aware authors did not get any form of royalties. I hope the exposure is enough for them.
As I read a fair majority of books in 2021, and for the sake of making this list shorter post wise, here are only my 5 and 4 star reads. I've also included one 4.5 star book as it was in between: 5 stars:
Once Upon a Wardrobe
The Women's March: A Novel of the 1913 Woman Suffrage Procession
Sunflower Sisters
The Rose Code
The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper
Remember Me: A Spanish Civil War Novel
One for the Blackbird, One for the Crow
A Fall of Marigolds
4.5 Stars: China: The Novel
4 Stars:
Island Queen
The Final Revival of Opal & Nev
Moloka'i
Hour of the Witch
Surviving Savannah
Emily's House
The Social Graces
The Four Winds
This Tender Land
The Songbook of Benny Lament
News of the World
Before We Were Yours
The Royal Governess
Tsarina
The Huntress
The Children's Blizzard
Where the Lost Wander
The Trial of Lizzie Borden
Simon, i recognize several titles on your list that led me to read them this year. Both Social Graces and Huntress were on my top 20 for the year, which i had to pare down. I also really liked The Rose Code and its depiction of the Bletchley work and early post WII years.And while i didn't find News of the World from you, i know the pleasure it brings. Not to mention, the history shared within its pages. The depiction of Texas at the time was very good.
Marie wrote: "Alias Reader wrote: "Wow ! Well done, Marie. Reading 163 books is simply amazing...."Thank you so much for the star reader badge, Alias! 😊 You made my day! ❤️"
:) You earned it, Marie !
madrano wrote: " This year i read 107 and am surprised. Several were on the slight side and few were over 400 pages. I am pleased with myself, nonetheless...."Wow ! Another person who read over 100. Well done, deb !
Simon wrote: "As I read a fair majority of books in 2021, and for the sake of making this list shorter post wise, here are only my 5 and 4 star reads. I've also included one 4.5 star book as it was in between: ..."
Simon you really had a wonderful reading year. You tackled some really big books. I'm happy to see so many were winners for you.
Also thank you so much for your wonderful reviews all year long.
madrano wrote: "Remarkable, Marie! You deserve that badge Alias awarded you. This year i read 107 and am surprised. Several were on the slight side and few were over 400 pages. I am pleased with myself, nonetheless.Reading is the real reward, of course. The fact you also review the books you read increases my admiration, as i do not take the time to do so. Naturally that leads your readers to add to their TBR lists!..."
Thank you! Well you read quite a few too making it over the 100 book hump! A few of them were 400 pages? Wow! Nice! Great job, Madrano! :)
I do love doing reviews and writing out my thoughts. I use to not to do it years ago when I first joined Goodreads as I just didn't feel like writing anything mostly because I did not know what to say or if I would say the right thing to draw other readers into the review. But I slowly decided to just write a simple review in my own words of how the book made me feel. :)
Congrats Madrano on getting your own reading star badge! :)
You’re welcome Alias!! It’s fun doing them and helps others make a better reading choice :)
Alias, thank you for my Reading Star. I called Dan over to see it, too. Marie, thanks for the congrats, too. This year i am experimenting with writing, for myself, more about each book i read. Usually i write down stuff i learn that caught my eye and any quotes i like. However, for some reason i seldom write down what the book is about, trusting the title or author's name to remind me. This is getting tougher to do. I hope i can be as disciplined as you & others here in doing so.
madrano wrote: "Alias, thank you for my Reading Star. I called Dan over to see it, too. .":)
Congrats on your reading star madrano. Such a pretty 'badge.' 👍😃
Congrats on your reading star Marie. Great job. 👍😃
Barbara you deserve a huge star for your stellar reviews. It's clear how much thought and effort you put into them with all the photos. I know how time consuming it is. When I search for graphics for the heading to some of the threads here, it takes me forever. I hope you know how much we appreciate the reviews.
I would be remiss if I didn't also award a gold star to those of you who take the time to post at Book Nook Cafe. It does take a village to make this work. Without your contribution there would be no Book Nook Cafe. Thank you ! 
I fully endorse those stars, Alias. We are grateful for the reviews and the time those who share them take to share them. They offer such insights into books and series. Thank You, each and every one!
Alias Reader wrote: "Barbara you deserve a huge star for your stellar reviews. It's clear how much thought and effort you put into them with all the photos. I know how time consuming it is. When I search for graphic..."
Thank you very much Alias. 😃🍀🌹
Julie wrote: "Top Books I Read This YearThe Chosen
Bellevue: Three Centuries of Medicine and Mayhem at America's Most Storied Hospital
[book:The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of Ame..."
the Johnstown Flood was an amazing book, read it in one day following my reading of the novel about the flood (In Sunlight in a Beautiful Garden).
I gave my brother The Great Bridge: The Epic Story of the Building of the Brooklyn Bridge for a 2021 Christmas present.
John wrote: "I gave my brother The Great Bridge: The Epic Story of the Building of the Brooklyn Bridge for a 2021 Christmas present."Do let us know his thoughts on it. As a New Yorker I probably should have it on my TBR list.
I do so enjoy that bridge but didn't realize McCullough wrote it. I'll tell my husband and he can read it for me. ;-)
Alias Reader wrote: "John wrote: "I gave my brother The Great Bridge: The Epic Story of the Building of the Brooklyn Bridge for a 2021 Christmas present."Do let us know his thoughts on it. As a New Yor..."
My grandmother's family were all living in New York at the time, so I figured he'd appreciate it.
madrano wrote: "Kiki wrote: "My best was The Prophets by Robert Jones, Jr.My worst was Squeeze Me by Carl Hiassen"
Thanks for sharing, Kiki. I smiled that you have that particular Hiassen on your worst list wh..."
I didn't mind the making fun of Trump in SQUEEZE ME. For me, those were some of the best parts of the book. Funny. I am from Italy, but not a fan of Trump at all, and would not have voted for him had I lived in the US. I did get the references because he's been in the world news so much and I've been in the US a lot. I just found the plot very scattered and not making much sense at all. This was the first Hiassen I've read, and some people have told me the plots of his earlier books are much better and more cohesive. I'll try an earlier one someday, just don't know when. I do like well written comic novels.
Alias Reader wrote: ""Kiki wrote: "My best was The Prophets by Robert Jones, Jr.
My worst was Squeeze Me by Carl Hiassen"
=============
madrano wrote:
Thanks for sharing, Kiki. I smiled that you have that particular ..."
madrano wrote: "Alias, your two posts are on-point. The comments on the varied opinions on the Hiassen book is excellent. It all depends on one's past. I'm sure those who view January 6 as a mere protest would int..."Even in Italy, I saw January 6, 2021 as an insurrection, not a protest. My problem with the Hiassen book was the scattered plot. The Trump parts were the only funny thing in the book for me.
Kiki wrote: "This was the first Hiassen I've read, and some people have told me the plots of his earlier books are much better and more cohesive. I'll try an earlier one someday, just don't know when. I do like well written comic novels...."Kiki, you are right. The Trump parts were the best parts. His books do seem a bit scattered and zany.
Since I enjoyed Squeeze Me, I went back to his earlier book,
Bad Monkey. Ugh. I didn't care for it at all. So I decided not to read any more of his books for awhile.
Kiki wrote: I am from Italy, .."I see you are from Lucca. My fathers family is from the southern part of Italy, Basilicata.
I haven't been to Italy but I would love to visit one day.
Kiki, thank you for your further comments about your view of our insurrection. Often i wonder what those in other nations (not their leaders, i hasten to add), think of what is occurring presently in the US. I appreciate your viewpoint.
Alias Reader wrote: "So far this year I read 62 books. 28 Fiction
34 Non Fiction
My top rated books were: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Choice: Embrace the PossibleEdith Eger Non Fiction
Inspirational ..."
Just looking at this discussion now...
I've liked Adam Grant's stuff since reading Give and Take: A Revolutionary Approach to Success. That was such a good book.
I have 'The Obstacle is the Way' on my list to read. What made it so un-enjoyable for you? Is it repetitive or obvious?
RE: The Obstacle Is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into TriumphTamara wrote: I have 'The Obstacle is the Way' on my list to read. What made it so un-enjoyable for you? Is it repetitive or obvious?
Tamara, I read the book back in Sept. Here was my review.
I ended the month on another low note. The majority of the book is simplistic platitudes and aphorisms to pull yourself up by your own bootstraps. There's an obstacle in your way? Go around it! The problem is your attitude ! There aren't any actionable suggestions. I did find the brief section on Vietnam war hero James Stockdale interesting. I didn't know a young John McCain was a fellow prisoner with him. You may recall Stockdale was the running mate of Ross Perot. Unfortunately, he became the butt of jokes and portrayed as a confused old man for his debate performance because he had turned off his hearing aid. Though not many noted his eardrum was blown out by torture during his 7 1/2 year stint as a POW. (I got this from Wiki not the book) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_S...
I do have the author's The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations for Clarity, Effectiveness, and Serenity I found this much more to my liking. A page a day to give you motivations and inspiration.
I read a few less books last year than usual. And although there were some books I didn't enjoy a lot, I'm not sure I have any 'worst' ones from the year. I'll share one that did disappoint me, which I remember feeling unpleasant or annoyed about.My favourite books (I have quite a few!):
- In the Kingdom of All Tomorrows
Stephen Lawhead is one of my favourite authors (has been since teenagerhood). I have definite likes and dislikes among his books, though. This was the ending to his latest series, Eirlandia, which I really enjoyed. Had the hallmarks of what he does so well.
- God in the Dock
A really interesting collection of essays from articles and other things that Lewis wrote over the years. I just love the way he was able to explain things in a way that makes you go, 'Yes! Exactly. I couldn't put it into such clear words, but you've nailed it.' And, of course, I also learnt things as well.
He is generous and courteous towards those whose writings/opinions/etc. he argues against, and humble but clear and firm in what he presents.
- A Scented Life: Wellbeing and essential oils
A really nice book. I wish I could own this.
- The Introvert Entrepreneur
Really nice to read a practical book about something like this, by a person who also 'gets' me.
- The Star Shepherd
Strange and lovely and brave children's book. I borrowed this partly for myself (who says adults can't read children's books?!) and partly for my tutoring students/nieces/nephews.
- A Deadly Education
A great start to her new (non-dragonish) series. (I've only read her non-dragonish books, and like them all). This series (I've read two of three so far) is a little heavy on some themes, but otherwise really enjoyable.
- The Way of Kings, Part 1
Nice! I wasn't sure what to expect, but the author gradually draws you in, and then you realise that you're fully in, and hooked. Not as violent or bloody or battle-heavy as I thought it would be. Actually mostly about other - deeper - things.
- 'The Making of Australia' - can't find the link, so will add later. Probably a little-known book, even in Australia, and this is Goodreads (U.S. site).
I like discovering history, and Australian history had always been taught so... boringly, for the most part, in school. The old stories told over and over. And most books and other interpretations of it now with a self-flagellating or accusatory perspective.
This dove into some very interesting parts of the history of Australia, elaborated on widely-misunderstood things (because of those same stories being retold the same way, from what's entered the popular narrative, until it's considered just the reality) in a very fair, scholarly, un-biased, and enjoyable/easy-to-read way.
Least-faves:
As I said, not sure what to put here for the year, except maybe one - Between Two Thorns. I was interested enough to also read the second, but ultimately was put off by the stuff I didn't like.
Tamara wrote: "Okay. Good to know. Thanks!"The Obstacle Is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph is a very popular book. Maybe the fit was just wrong for me.
Though I would suggest you get it from the library and not purchase.
Tamara wrote: "I read a few less books last year than usual. And although there were some books I didn't enjoy a lot, I'm not sure I have any 'worst' ones from the year. I'll share one that did disappoint me, whi..."Thanks for sharing, Tamara. That was a nice list with a lot of titles I've not seen before.
Tamara wrote: "The Star ShepherdStrange and lovely and brave children's book. I borrowed this partly for myself (who says adults can't read children's books?!) and partly for my tutoring students/nieces/nephews. ..."
Whenever i check out children's books i have a made-up reason in mind (nephew, childhood favorite, etc.). Not that anyone ever asks, i just feel the mental need for an excuse. You are totally correct, who says adults can't read them??
The points you made about the History of Australia are the sort of feelings i have when reading history as an adult. We were given such mild, non-offending facts that the facts startle us once we are out of the school system. Learning particular bits about the lead up to larger events is what i usually find surprising.
Thanks for sharing your list with us.
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Books mentioned in this topic
Moon of the Crusted Snow (other topics)Firekeeper’s Daughter (other topics)
The Obstacle Is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph (other topics)
A Scented Life: Wellbeing and essential oils (other topics)
The Star Shepherd (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Waubgeshig Rice (other topics)Angeline Boulley (other topics)
Edith Eger (other topics)
David McCullough (other topics)
William Manchester (other topics)
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And yes, if we all agreed on books, we'd bore ourselves silly. This is the glory of the innumerable books on the planet--something for everyone but none for all. ;-)