Joan is planning on reading 60 again in 2022

[Joan]

Last year I barely made 60 books so I figured I shouldn't go any higher this year.

[Joan]

35/60

[Joan]

My slump mostly ended in January. I read 9 books. It's the beginning of February and I'm on the cusp of completing two more within the next couple of days.

Deadline - I did not like this as much as the first book in the series. I rated it three stars. it annoyed me that he talked to his dead sister throughout the book. There were still aspects of it that I like and I heard the third book is better so I'll probably continue the series.

My Mother's Secret - This was an unexpected book. I came across it on clearance and I really enjoyed it. I rated it four stars. I thought the story had potential to go into more depth.

Lock Every Door - I rated this 5 stars. I loved the gothic details given to this modern book. There was mystery to it that I couldn't guess. There were some things I had to research in this book that I thought was cool. I want to read more of his books.

A Stranger in the House - I rated this 4 stars. After reading Lock Every Door, I thought this book was lacking a sense of place. It kept me guessing

The Anthropocene Reviewed - I rated this 4 stars. I really enjoyed some of his stories and learning about his anxieties. There were several stories I wasn't interested in that I tuned out. I listened to this on audio and enjoyed his narration.

Anxious People - This book wasn't what I thought it was going to be. I did like the message of it but it dragged for me around 2/3 into the book. I did like a lot of quotes out of this book. They made you think. For that reason I rounded up to a 4 star review.

In Love & Pajamas: A Collection of Comics about Being Yourself Together - This was a fun graphic novel. I enjoy her graphic novels. it was cute and a fun distraction. They are based on every day life that anyone can relate to. I rated it 4 stars.

Rosemary: The Hidden Kennedy Daughter - This was a great audio. I rated it 5 stars. I've read a lot of books about the Kennedys and I found this most interesting. How Rosemary shaped a lot of their lives, I found fascinating because of course they really didn't mention her in the early years.

The End of Her - This book disappointed me. I hated the ending. I didn't like the shifting narration. It made me kind of angry in the end and it'd be a spoiler if I said why. I ended up rating it 3 stars but rounded up for a 2.5. I'm not sure I'd read more of her books because of how mad I got at this one.

9/60

[Joan]

I never updated for my reads in February. I feel like I'm on a good track this year and have read some good books.

The Fox and The Hound - This was beautifully written and a lot of information about animals and how they track. Even though it was short it wasn't a quick read. You really had to take in the writing. And some of it wasn't the most exciting to read but it was great for something different. Very different from the Disney movie. I used to do the author's tax returns. It was written in the county I grew up in so I was always interested in reading it. I rated it 4 stars.

My Southern Journey: True Stories from the Heart of the South - I listened to this on audio. Some of the stories I tuned out on but some of them were quite funny and relatable. Living in Virginia for the past 19 years I found this to be a fun story about the south. It was narrated by the author and I always love that. I rated it 3 stars.

Lore Olympus: Volume One - A much talked about graphic novel. I didn't agree with all of the hype. I was kind of confused in parts. I often graphic novels but this one didn't hit the mark for me. The illustrations were pretty though. I rated it 2 stars which is an unpopular opinion of this one.

Crying in H Mart - This was an unexpected read that I loved. I also listened to this on audio. It was narrated by the author. It was intensely personal and relatable. A great book about mothers and daughters and dealing with grief from a parent. I really recommend this book. I did only rate it 4 stars. Some of the book (but not much) I wasn't interested in.

The Alice Network - I finally read this one and I'm so glad. It was pretty good. It was told from two different perspectives. I had found it in a used book store and had meant to read it for awhile. Historic fiction takes me a while to want to read but when I do I'm often really glad. I ended up rating this one 4 stars. It did take a little bit to get through but the characters were great and the story line was pretty good.

I Miss You When I Blink: Essays - I found this one while looking for a book to try and complete a winter challenge. I needed a book that started with an I. I probably wouldn't have read otherwise. I listened to it on audio for my work commute and it was a good distraction but I wasn't into half of the book maybe. I ended up rating it 3 stars. I don't know if I'd necessarily recommend it or not recommend it.

Speak - I always wanted to read this book. It transported me back to high school and that was one aspect that I really liked about it. It's an important book and written really well. I loved the character and related to her with all of her trials she went through. I only rated it 4 stars just because the book wrapped it up a little too well and it just doesn't happen like that in real life.

16/60

[Joan]

The Hypnotist's Love Story - This book was not as good as her other books but it was a solid read. I did like the aspect of the guy having a stalker. This book she just did two perspectives and I did like that better but it took too long to wrap up. I liked the suspense in the book. I'd recommend it overall but it wasn't my favorite of hers. I rated it 3 stars.

Mexican Gothic - This is a book I really wanted to read. I enjoyed the creepiness of the house and the gothic feel. The author definitely did a great job with that. There wasn't anything really Mexican about it however. I liked the mystery of it. The mystery was revealed about 2/3 of the way through the book. After the mystery was revealed I didn't like it as much, hence why I gave it 3 stars. Overall it was another solid read and I'm glad I read it. The ending just didn't live up to my expectation.

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil - I always wanted to read this. I picked the wrong format however. I did it as an audio. I got the hardback out of the library after I started it because I found the audio hard to keep up with. Reading the actual book for this one is better. I ended up rating it 3 stars but I think I would have rated it higher if I didn't listen to the audio. The characters were amazing in this book.

The Outsider - This was a great book. I rated it 5 stars. It was the first Stephen King book that I have read in a long time. It got me back into them. Since I read this book I have bought two more of his newer books. I was definitely creeped out in this book. I'd highly recommend. The characters were of course great. I'm going to watch the series soon.

Migraine; Inside a World of Invisible Pain - I listened to this on audio. It was something I needed to listen to since my daughter suffers from them. I'd recommend it but most if it I already knew. It was a good reinforcement though. I rated it 4 stars.

21/60

[Joan]

Well I'm slowing down a bit. I only read 4 books in April. May feels like it's going to be better though. I've picked up some good books to read. This is what I read in April:

Fault Lines - I thought this would have had more emotion in it. I rated it 3 stars since there wasn't that much emotion in it for me. There were some interesting lines in the book though that made me stop and think. I just don't think the characters were that well developed and maybe that's why I found it emotionless.

Vanderbilt: The Rise and Fall of an American Dynasty - I rated this 2 stars. I guess for me it didn't have some of the people that I wanted to learn about in it. I wanted to hear more about.

Fangirl - I rated this 4 stars. I liked this much better than I thought I would. The dialogue in it was great. the ending felt abrupt however and that is what deterred me from rating it 5 stars.

The Soulmate Equation - I also rated this one 4 stars. It was a cute book. The ending on this one went on a little too long though. It was mostly predictable but it was a fun book to read.

I have 4 buddy reads planned four May. I should be reading more books in the month of May.

25/60

[Joan]

I read 5 books this month. Two I listened to on audio. I'm glad I'm halfway through my annual challenge before half the year is here. Last year I had a big reading slump in November and December.

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings - I thought this would have moved me a little more. Maybe it was because I listened to it instead of read it. I found a couple of parts gripping. I only rated it 2 stars.

Where the Heart Is - This was on my list for awhile to read. I really loved it and I loved the voice of the story. It was so sweet and genuine. I ended up rating it 5 stars even though I thought the ending was abrupt.

Rogue Lawyer - I really enjoyed listening to this one. It has inspired me to listen to the other books of his that I haven't read. I usually don't listen to fiction but this was great and if I take the listening approach then I can catch up on his books. I rated it 4 stars. The character was a little chauvinist though but I chalked it up to part of the character.

The Ex Hex - This was a fun whimsical romance that you knew what was going to happen but I had fun reading it anyway. It was a nice distraction. I enjoyed the witch aspect of it. I rated it 3 stars.

If It Bleeds - This was a compilation of 4 novellas. I enjoyed the first story and the fourth story. The one it was named for was a continuation from The Outsider. I did enjoy reading that story but not as much as The Outsider. The second story was confusing. The first and fourth stories made the book. I rated it 4 stars.

30/60

[Joan]

I'm currently 5 books ahead in my annual ATY challenge which is a good thing. I'm reading a quick one today so that I can stay 5 ahead. I would love to read the rest of my list in order but that just doesn't happen. Here is what I read in June:

The Betrayal of Anne Frank: A Cold Case Investigation - I listened to this one and I learned a lot. Some of it I was bored on and I rated it 3 stars for that reason. There was a lot I didn't know.

The Cactus - This book was really cute. I'm glad I read it. I didn't find it predictable. I loved the voice of the story. I rated it 4 stars. I wasn't expecting to read it this year and I'm glad I did.

The Help - I put off reading this for so long. I'm glad I finally did. It was number 1 on my tbr for years. I liked the heartfelt feeling of the book. It had some suspense in it and some mystery. I enjoyed the voices of this book. I rated it 4 stars.

The Book of Unknown Americans - I listened to this one. I originally thought it was non-fiction. I didn't realize it was fiction until I was into it. I liked the story but it wasn't what I was expecting it to be. I rated it 3 stars.

How to Fail at Flirting - I wasn't expecting to read this one this year and it was a pleasant surprise. It was kind of predictable but I didn't mind it for this one. I rated it 4 stars.

35/60