It’s a whole new year filled with all new reading potential, and I’m here for it. I feel like I am already off to a great start with the books I’ve read so far in January! And, as so many of us do at the beginning of the year, I’ve been thinking about my goals for 2021, particularly as it pertains to reading.
In general, I try not to set too many reading related resolutions because the last thing I want to do is spoil my favorite pastime with too much intensity and rules. But I do like to have just one or two simple goals to keep me on track and moving in an intentional direction. Last year, my only goal was to read War and Peace, and I did it! I took me about 10 months, but I finally completed it.
This year, my main reading goal is to include more nonfiction. I nearly always enjoy the nonfiction books I pick up, but for some reason they aren’t what I gravitate towards. In fact, my stats for 2020 show that out of 139 books, only 17.9% were nonfiction. It sounds like I need to be a little more intentional with including them on my TBR and actually reading them, which is something I want to work on since I usually learn something helpful and/or interesting when I do.
One thing I can do to achieve this goal is to always have a nonfiction book in progress. Whenever I finish one, I plan to immediately start another, even if I’m reading through slowly. Hopefully this will help me maintain momentum and finish more nonfiction in 2021 (I’m shooting for 25%). What other strategies could I use to help me read more in this genre? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
This month I do have several good nonfiction books on my list, including a fabulous cookbook. But don’t worry, I also have plenty of good fiction here too, with lots more exciting titles on the horizon.
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Just Finished:
I jokingly said on Instagram that this was the best book I’d read so far this year (this was on January 6th). But seriously, it checked all my boxes with a historical mystery/romance with lots of secrets, intrigue, and action. The hero was brooding and swoon-worthy, while the heroine was brave and did not swoon. Abigail Wilson is my new favorite historical fiction author.
Speaking of favorite historical fiction authors, Laura Frantz is another really solid one! Her newest book, Tidewater Bride, is set in colonial America and portrays the tensions between the settlers and Native Americans, while also following a lovely romance between Selah and Xander. You can read my full review here, but the short version is that I loved the historical detail and well-developed story.
Becoming Us: Using the Enneagram to Create a Thriving Gospel-Centered Marriage
Like many people, I am fascinated by the enneagram and what it has to teach us about ourselves and others. This book focuses specifically on how being knowledgeable about your type and your spouse’s can positively impact your marriage as you lean to love each other better. I really like Beth and Jeff’s gospel centered approach that shows what drawing closer to Jesus looks like for the different types, and how you can help each other accomplish that together.
In Progress:
This memoir is kind of wild. Matthew McConaughey has led a very interesting life and his history and perspective are fascinating. I’m listening to this one on audio, which I highly recommend because he reads it himself and does a great job bringing it to life. A word of caution, though — the language is a little rough in spots, so keep this one in your earbuds if you are listening around kids or your grandma.
I’ve only just started this one so I don’t have a lot of comments yet, but I can tell you the two reasons why I picked it up: 1. I love Denise Hunter, and 2. I love cowboys. Seemed like a winning combination to me!
You talk about action-packed! This book follows a squad of soldiers on a mission to find the source of mysterious, deadly disease. It has Indiana Jones style fantasy elements with ancient artifacts rumored to possess power, and lots of running from danger. I’m only a few pages in, but I really like the prequel novella to this series called The Warrior’s Seal (which is free for Kindle if you want to give this series a try).
I’m counting this one as a current read because I’m obsessed with this cookbook and I’m making plans to systematically try as many recipes as I can. I mean, c’mon…steak and cake is the perfect pairing both on the page and the plate. The pictures are gorgeous and my husband said the carne asada steak we made was the best steak he’s had in a while. Highly recommend!
Up Next:
An American socialite and a Scottish lord in a crumbling old castle? Sounds like my cup of tea! I have a thing for stories set in Scotland, so I can’t wait to jump into this one, especially since I really enjoyed her other book The Socialite last year.
The Librarian of Boone’s Hollow
Are you a reader who likes books about books? I am, and this story about a traveling librarian is coming up soon on my holds list. I’m thinking it might be somewhat similar to The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek but hopefully not as raw, as I found that book to be a little too descriptive of some of the traumatic events in the story. I’m looking forward to this being a little bit gentler story that combines history and literature.
On my next trip to the library I’m planning to bring home the follow up book to the last minute addition I made to my best of 2020 list. I absolutely could not put Relic down, and I can’t wait to see where the story goes next because there was a very intriguing epilogue at the end that seemed to set up the next one pretty well. Side note: I know this is petty and it’s not going to stop me from reading it, but I kind of hate the cover of this book. Thank you for listening.
If you want even more book talk today then go check out Modern Mrs. Darcy’s monthly quick lit post, and be sure to scroll all the way to the comments to find other great book bloggers.
ha – I love that you called your favorite book of the year so far on January 6th – what a positive way to look at your reading!!
I too struggle with nonfiction – doing it as an audiobook has really helped me as well as a chapter a day in the morning when I have a physical book.
Here’s what we’ve been reading lately including books (physical and audio) that are getting me to escape {The Chicken Sisters, Black Buck, and My Dear Eliza} to name a few and quiet my mind, my husband is finishing up Darker Shade of Magic series, and read alouds with our kids.
https://www.everyoneslibrarian.com/blog/quick-lit-january-2021
I agree, nonfiction is often easier to listen to on audio than sit and read. Sounds like there is lots of reading going on at your house too – I love it!
The third one sounds nice, I love cowboys too
Really enjoyed your reading list! I agree, too many rules can dampen enjoyment but it’s nice to have goals. I like the look at the steak and cake book! What a win!
I have been reading a lot more as well. These are all new to me though. The Matthew M book sounds interesting!
I didnt know Matthew McConaughey had a book and an audio of it. Yay! I love his voice and he does seem to be an interesting person so I need to grab this one for sure!
My goal is to read more books this year, so great list! I am already obsessed with cookbooks, so looking forward to Steaks and Cakes!!!