At the beginning of this year, I finally took a count and I realized that I had a LOT of books. A LOT as in I OWN, either in paper or digital form, about 150 (156 to be exact) books that I have not yet read.
This is a bit excessive, but honestly – other than the usual book-hoarding, which I’m certainly guilty of – it’s just way too easy to buy a book on Kindle when you see a deal, something catches your eye, or an idea pops into your head. I also bought several books by black authors over the summer when I recognized that my collection was seriously lacking.
Total book Count
I made it my mission this year to get through these books and clear all my ‘to be read’ shelves. I also made it a goal to read 100 books this year. Last year I read 52, and I knew that doubling that would be a big jump, but I also thought it would be a motivating goal and help me get through all these books I have. The ‘rules’ were that I couldn’t buy any more books other than our book club book and the book I get through Book of the Month, and also to avoid getting new books from the library, and while I’ve definitely broken those rules as the year has progressed, I’ve definitely made a decent dent, and right now, this is what I have left, for a grand total of 106. I should add that I’m not counting audio books in the count here, but I do also listen to those, but while I’m driving or doing things like cooking or folding laundry – times when I wouldn’t be reading a book. I’m also not counting Teen/YA books that I’ve received through school for our book club project, though books read from both of those categories will be included in my book count for the year. And while we’re discussing rules, I’m figuring I’ll DNF (‘did not finish’) about 10 percent of the books I have, so about 15. In a lot of cases it’s worth pushing through, but life’s too short to read books you’re not enjoying!
With regards to my overall reading goal of getting to 100 books this year, I’m currently at about 75 books. A hundred books is definitely within reach, but it will take some work to get there, so we’ll see how I do! From now until the end of the year (and for the first half of next year), I’m REALLY going to try not to buy any more books (other than our monthly book club books), and the overall goal is to be through everything by the time ‘summer reading’ time rolls around next year.
Out of everything I’ve read this year, I wanted to highlight a few that have really stood out to me up to this point, plus a one or two sentence review, as really great reads.
So, do tell…what’s on your TBR list?
Audiobooks/Nonfiction
My Friend Anna by Rachel DeLoache Williams. About that fake heiress who swindled her way through New York, and her friend out of $60K. Captivating.
I’ll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara. An unbelievable investigative work and really wonderful storytelling about a really horrible person.
Catch and Kill by Ronan Farrow. The whole Harvey Weinstein situation is much worse than you thought. Completely Pulitzer worthy.
Fiction
Long Bright River by Liz Moore. Set in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia, a story of two sisters, one’s a cop, one’s addicted to drugs and currently missing. A beautiful, compassionate story that faces the opioid epidemic head on.
The Sundown Motel by Simone St. James. A family-based ghost story, not like anything you’ve ever read before.
Summer Darlings by Brooke Lea Foster. A really fun, unexpected, not predictable summer read.
Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson. Totally crazy premise (children catching on fire), but a really great story about supporting kids even when it’s difficult and what makes a family.
Lovely War by Julie Berry. A young adult book, that’s so remarkably beautiful – yet also deals with things of significance – that I didn’t want it to end. One of the best books I’ve read. (I also talk about it HERE!)
Rabbit by Patricia Williams. I read this book in three hours, and never has something made me laugh, but also cry, as much as this has. A really powerful, important book, but also hysterically funny.
The Parisians by Maurius Gabriel. A really good story that was surprisingly very historically accurate about Paris during WWII.
The Last Romantics by Tara Conklin. From this list, the book I’ve had the longest. The futuristic aspect of this book was weird to me, but it did not take away from the absolutely spot-on depiction about a family, four siblings, trying to survive an immense loss, and the sometimes really difficult changes and completely unexpected challenges that the loss brings.
The Vanishing Half by Britt Bennett. You didn’t need to hear this from me – this book is REALLY good, and a really important read. It opened my eyes to so much about race and being – or not – a black person in this country, and a lot of the history behind that. Read this book.
Saints for All Occasions by J. Courtney Sullivan. An unbelievably moving book about family relationships and ultimately what it means to be a mother and a sister – with or without your child, and sometimes without each other. I’ve read all of Sullivan’s books (almost! – I talk more about her HERE), and this is hands down the best. I loved this book so much.
Image by Krista Brackin Photography