I have always been a big reader and I thank my mom for that. She grew up working as a page in the library and eventually even worked as a library tech after we were all older. Growing up we had weekly runs to the library to explore and pick out fresh books and I was always participating in the summer reading programs.
Fast forward and I went to the University of North Carolina thinking I would graduate and head to NY as a book editor. God had other plans for me but I still graduated with a BA in English. While it was a rough four years at Carolina for my reading life (I think reading 4-5 books at one time thanks to all the various courses) I am still an avid reader.
I am still a very avid library goer and check out books there about every week or so. I also love the digital library for ebooks and audiobooks. I have also received some Advance Reader Copies through NetGalley and now have a Scribd subscription for more audio and e-books.
This past year was the year of audiobooks for me which is funny since I didn't drive many places, my previous audiobook location. This year I would listen when I went into the office (I am about 1 of 10 people any given day at the office and pre-pandemic there were about 70 people in our Triangle office), as well as taking walks on the Greenway, and in a busy month like December I would listen while cooking or doing chores around the house.
I thought I would get back to sharing my monthly reading lists and also, my favorite books of this year. I also indicated if I read it as an audiobook with this symbol 🟆
✦People We Meet on Vacation - ⭐⭐⭐
A sweet friends-to-lovers story set over years and years of vacations together.
✦Queen of Shadows - ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The 5th book in the Throne of Glass series from Sarah J. Maas, we see Aelin come into her own and really fight for her people and throne.
✦In A Holidaze - ⭐⭐⭐
A family vacation tradition is threatened when the cabin is up for sale, however, the main character is now reliving the last weekend at the cabin until she gets it right. It was cute however, no one ever explained how she was in a time loop.
✦The Right Swipe - ⭐⭐⭐
The owner of a popular dating app is trying to acquire her competitor when she runs into the man she was ghosted by in the process.
✦With You Forever - ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The fourth book of a series about the Bergman family. This book is about Axel Bergman and Rooney (the best friend of Willa from book 1). I enjoy Chloe Lise' books especially since her characters are dealing with various conditions like anxiety, neurodivergence, and hearing impairment.
Crazy Stupid Bromance - ⭐⭐⭐
Book 3 of a series where gentlemen get together for a romance book club to help them with their various romantic problems. This is another friends to lovers book where the main character is dealing with the backlash of speaking out about workplace harassment as well as dealing with meeting her father for the first time due to a transplant request.
✦We Met in December - ⭐⭐⭐
If you want to be transported to London at Christmas, you will walk through a year of a woman's transition to London for a new job. Jess meets Alex the first night at a party for all the roommates to meet. There is a rule of no romances in the house although Jess and Alex slowly fall for each other throughout the year.
The Match - ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Charleston, SC a service dog trainer is tricked into meeting a gentleman and his daughter at a cafe to discuss getting his daughter a service dog. This was an interesting reminder of the freedoms I have as an able-bodied person.
✦A Princess for Christmas - ⭐⭐⭐
Think of a Hallmark movie, A princess is in New York and her royal transportation is broken. Enter a taxi with a young man and his sister. He starts to drive the princess around for the weekend and they get to know one another. The princess invites the family back to the castle for Christmas.
✦Growing Boldly - ⭐⭐⭐⭐
A reminder of finding your purpose and going for it. It also had great reminders to love others well, be reminded of the season you are in, and do the hard work but also feed your soul.
Now if you need to add some books to your 2022 to-read list, here are my favorite reads of 2021.
Top Five Non-Fiction Reads
- ✦That Sounds Fun by Annie F Downs ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- ✦Garden City ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- The Bible - I read the whole Bible chronologically in 2021 with the Bible Recap plan. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Honorable Mentions:
- ✦Atomic Habits ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- ✦The Lazy Genius Way ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Ten Words to Live By ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Body Talk ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- ✦Cinder ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- ✦The Henna Artist ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- The Dating Plan ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- ✦Queen of Shadows ⭐⭐⭐⭐
What was your favorite book this year?
People We Meet on Vacation and The House on the Cerulean Sea are two I'm hoping to read this year. I've heard a lot about Atomic Habits lately so may have to check that out too. I think my favorite read of last year was Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult, my first by that author!
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