Well, another year, another round of goals. I keep rocking this reading goal each year; it is more exciting as I try to get to 100 again. Last year I ended in the 90s, so I was so close. I am confident I can reach this goal this year, especially since a different personal goal of mine is to reduce my time on social media and mindlessly scrolling so now I will go for a book instead. I already have a great start in January with reading almost 10 that this goal could be hit by Summer ;).
One part of this goal this year that is different is providing written reviews of each book, doing a short reflection helps me to retain the information and book I read that way I can always remember some details, the second part is to go to the library more often. Last year was all Libby books, which is not a bad thing but I do miss the feel of holding a paperback book in my hands as I read or using bookmarks instead of digital notes to save my place, so I plan to go to the library once a month and choose 3-4 options to add to my reading list.
I’m grateful for all of the new worlds I am about to discover through books and can’t wait to hit this goal once and for all.
JANUARY
1. IN THE WOODS – TANA FRENCH (#1 in Series)
This was an excellent mystery and I was eager to add the rest of the series to my queue. I was captured and excited and would definitely recommend reading this one.
2. ONLY SHE CAME BACK – MARGOT HARRISON (Audiobook)
This was another great read, well listen. I have a new job and work in an open setting so I was listening to an audiobook so I could dive into my own world and work without the distractions of everyone talking. I was really excited to continue listening and getting to the end of this one. It was a shocking ending that I wouldn’t have totally expected.
3. THE LIKENESS – TANA FRENCH (#2 in Series)
I really enjoyed this book. It was another mystery that kept me trying to figure it out before getting to the end. There were definitely some twists I was not expecting.
4. THE ONLY ONE LEFT – RILEY SAGER
GREAT READ! I thought I had it figured out and then literally so many twists and turns in the last quarter of the book that I couldn’t go to bed until I knew the ending, even the last chapter was insanely captivating. I would love to read more books like this.
5. THRONE OF GLASS (#1 IN THE SERIES) – SARAH J. MAAS
This was a great read. I love book series that are easy to read and impossible to put down without reading 1/2 of it in 1 sitting and this is that kind of book. Definitely going to be reading the rest of the series.
6. CRUELEST MONTH – PENNY LOUISE
This was a good mystery book. I actually went to the library and got a few books to read and this was one of them. It was nice to have the good feel of a paperback in my hands. This was another one that I finished in a couple of after-work reading sessions. I like that it is set in Canada and has a lot of twists that keep your attention.
7. RIVALS – JANE PEK
This was another new one I got from the library. It was an interesting thriller but had some dating and romance included. I definitely would read more from this author. This was another easy book to read that was finished within 2 days.
8. WEED THAT STRINGS THE HANGMAN’S BAG – BRADLEY ALAN
The last of the books from the library. I thought this book was just okay, it took a few chapters to hook me in but after I got through those I couldn’t stop reading the book. I really was trying to figure out the murder mystery before the end but wasn’t and it kept me interested. I finished 3/4 of it all in one sitting.
9. CROWN OF MIDNIGHT (#2 IN THE SERIES) – SARAH J. MAAS
This is the 2nd book of this series and it was a good read. I like this style of book that is a different world with other creatures but also includes the thrill of following Celena and her assassin story from the beginning. I am excited for the next one but it is on hold for over 12 weeks in my Libby Queue.
10. CAMINO GHOSTS – JOHN GRISHAM
This book was a great one to read. I loved the history background and connections the author kept making. It was like reading a mixture of history and murder mystery. It was semi-difficult to follow at first, but once I got going it was great.
FEBRUARY
11. BYE, BABY – CAROLA LOVERING (AUDIOBOOK)
I do sometimes struggle with audiobooks because I mostly listen at work, but overall this was a long one. Usually I can get through 1/2 a book in one day but this one took the full 2 weeks to get through. It was really good when I could focus on the details, a lot of things going on and flashbacks that could get confusing.
12. THE HUNTER (#2 IN THE SERIES) – TANA FRENCH
This was another tough one to read at first. Once I was able to get connected and interested it was much easier to read. I really enjoy this author, she has a great writing style that keeps you invested.
13. HEIR OF FIRE (#3 in the Series) – SARAH J. MAAS
I am obsessed with this Author and her series work. This is the 3rd series I have started and I really like how they connect and intermingle the worlds she creates. This was a great lineup addition, I really enjoy the back story of each character and how they continue throughout the series. The next one is on a long hold period of Libby, so hopefully doing some recaps can help me stay current with this one.
14. NOW YOU SEE THEM – ELLY GRIFFITHS
I got this book from the library this month. It was a good mystery. It took a few chapters to really get hooked, but after that, I was able to dive in. The characters are very interesting but all intertwined, which helps in figuring out the murderer.
15. A STUDY IN CRIMSON (SHERLOCK HOLMES 1942) – ROBERT J. HARRIS
This was another book from the library, and I finished this within a few hours, I really enjoy Sherlock Holmes stories and this is one of them. I started it during a WFH day and honestly finished it before the end of the work day, so not great for work productivity but it was too good to stop.
16. THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY WITH MURDER – TRISH LUNDY (Audiobook)
I was listening to most of this audiobook at work this week, and it was a good one. It is like how people listen to podcasts or music, I tune into a book and get to work. I sometimes get lost in thought and don’t retain much, but once I get hooked into the plot again, I know where I am at and don’t stop listening to the end. I sometimes carry them over into the commute home and listen through my car.
17. WHEN YOU SEE ME – LISA GARDNER
This was a great Mystery book. At first, a lot was going on to follow because each chapter is from a different character’s perspective, but it all tied together very well and ended with so many different twists. These kinds of books are my favorite to read because they keep me engaged until the very last page.
18. THE ZIG ZAG GIRL – ELLY GRIFFITHS
This book was another great mystery read. I really enjoyed this one, it was a quick and easy page-turner, and was leaving me trying to guess the ending right up until the end, so it was very captivating.
MARCH (I moved in March and that hindered a little bit of reading progress, but overall proud of what I accomplished)
19. BUTCHER & BLACKBIRD – BRYNNE WEAVER
I absolutely loved this book; it was interesting to have two vigilante killers fall in love and share these random games with each other. It was hard to put this one down, I’m pretty sure I finished this read within 1 day.
20. NOTHING LIKE THE MOVIES – LYNN PAINTER
Another quick read! This is more of a romance series, but overall still very good. I like books they do different character perspectives on each chapter, and this one does a good job at that.
21. QUEEN OF SHADOWS (#4 IN SERIES) – SARAH J. MAAS
This is a great fantasy series! The only downside is how long I have to wait on hold for the next one to be ready to read! There is nothing better than disconnecting from real life and diving into a fantasy novel. I usually have to be in places where I can read for hours because these are long books, and I like to make large dents in them each time I pick them up.
APRIL
22. HIDDEN POTENTIAL – ADAM GRANT
This book was more of a self-growth book; it had a lot of great points and takeaways that I hope to use in my personal and professional growth.
23. LONG TIME GONE – CHARLIE DONLEA
I really enjoy Charlie Donlea’s style of mystery, crime writing books. They are super quick reads and very engaging. I enjoyed this book because it tied into another one of his that I read, so it felt familiar reading and knowing the characters’ back stories.
24. MODERN DATING – CHIARA ATIK
This is a book about dating and some helpful tips. I was mostly trying to help boost my confidence as I navigate the dating world. Now to put the tips to use.
25. THE BEE STING – PAUL MURRAY
Ok, this book took me all month, it was one that I had a hard time reading a lot of at once, but mostly because the story at first was confusing and hard to follow. Towards the end, it was faster for me to read because I had understood the structure and timeline of the story better.
MAY – I fell behind on updates and can’t recall great recaps for each book.
26. THE PARADISE PROBLEM – CHRISTINA LAUREN
27. IF HE HAD BEEN WITH ME – LAURA NOWLIN
28. WICKED – GREGORY MAGUIRE
JUNE
29. MAGIC HOUR – KRISTIN HANNAH
30. LEATHER & LARK – BRYNNE WEAVER (#2 IN SERIES)
This series is excellent; it’s a little gory at times and not something you want to be eating while reading, but it keeps me intrigued the entire time.
31. BETTING ON YOU – LYNN PAINTER
32. FINAL GIRLS – RILEY SAGER
Loved this one! It was a cool take on Final Girls, connecting 3 different women’s stories, but then at the end it was a wild twist. A very good read.
33. EMPIRE OF STORMS – SARAH J. MAAS (#5 IN SERIES)
The only downside of this series is how long I constantly have to be on the holds list for the next one. I am ready to buy it, but I am also almost done with the series at this point. I love fantasy-style stories, and this one is awesome. Each book includes new battles and characters, but keeps everything consistent throughout.
34. MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT – RILEY SAGER
This was more of a ghost story than a murder mystery, but it was still pretty good. I have started getting into my Riley Sager books and have them saved on my Libby. Always very quick reads, with great mysteries.
35. FAITHFUL PLACE – TANA FRENCH
This is another murder mystery style book; however, I found it hard to stay interested and get through this one until like the last 10 chapters.
JULY
36. SCYTHE & SPARROW – BRYNNE WEAVER (#3 IN SERIES)
wondering what’s next. 