2021: My Reading in Review

2021 was a good reading year. It was one of the best I've had as an adult. I want to provide some stats and, hopefully, give you some recommendations to add to your to-be-read list. Let me know what you read in 2021.

Making Reading A Habit

In 2019, I decided to increase and diversify my reading, so I challenged myself to read 24 books. Before this, I mainly read African-American romance novels and was very thankful for those, especially as I went through law school and the bar exam. They provided an escape. So in 2019, I still read my romance novels, but I kept track of the other genres I read. I failed at reading 24 books, so I regrouped in 2020. I lowered my goal to 12. I ended up reading 30 books. I kept track of all the physical books I read and audiobooks I listened to. I spent less time on social media, moved mid-year, and started a new job. Through change, I continued reading. In 2021, I wanted to push myself a little. I set my goal for 36, and I read 40 books! I'm super happy that reading is a part of my habits. Some weekends I spend it relaxing and getting lost in a book. It helps me reset and destress from work. I challenged myself by reading a couple of books outside of my comfort zone, and I was happy. Join the newsletter to get some tips on developing a reading habit!

Stats For 2021

StoryGraph makes it easy to see the different stats of my reading visually. While I still use Goodreads, I switched to StoryGraph and can't wait to see what new features come. The only thing I would love to have is the ability to scan books like Goodreads. Besides that, this alternative is great. So follow me on Goodreads or StoryGraph to follow along with my 2022 reading and reviews.

Top 6 Books for 2021

Now the recommendations! These books have stayed with me throughout the year. Some challenged me, made me think, or just hit me over the head with the impact. For all my full reviews, go to StoryGraph or Goodreads.

#6 Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb

This was a book out of my comfort zone. Although I love science fiction and fantasy (SFF), I heard this book was character-driven and not plot-driven. Meaning it wouldn't have the high-action, fast-paced plot that I like in SFF books. It took me a little more time to get through it, but it was good. We follow Fitz, the illegitimate son of the king-in-waiting, and the consequences of this discovery. We also follow him as he learns and grapples with the magic system. What made this so good was the political maneuvers and the world-building. Hobb drew me into the world and let me explore the motivations and decisions of these characters.

#5 Foundation by Isaac Asimov

This was maybe my most surprising book of the year. First published in 1951, Foundation is a classic that spans 150 years in five short stories. While written very differently from modern SFF, I really enjoyed this book. While the book is not action-packed, similarly to Assassin's Apprentice, it follows the political maneuvers and the implications of the character's decisions. Unlike Assassin's Apprentice, we don't get heavily attached to any character because they aren't very developed. I mostly enjoyed the commentary the book offered on religion and the habits of humanity. Be warned that this book may be dry, but I went into the story expecting more of a political science fiction where the maneuvers made were more important than the people making the moves. Like other older works, such as other classics and even the Bible, descriptions are essential to the point being made when introduced. I wrote about this book in June 2021, and my full thoughts can be found here.

#4 Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwame Mbalia

This is a middle-grade book that I think everyone should read but especially read with the younger generation. This book touches on grief and the power of stories. We follow Tristan, a young African-American boy who lost his best friend and is still in the process of figuring out who he is. We experience West African gods and African American folk heroes in this story. In America, while in school (and in media), we encounter Greek, Norse, and maybe a little Egyptian mythology but never have I encountered the mythology of my ancestors. Even though this is a middle-grade book, I felt connected and seen through the characters in this book. I can't wait to gather these myths to share them with my goddaughter and maybe my children one day. I read this book in April and shared more thoughts of why I think it is an important read.

#3 Invisible: The Forgotten Story of the Black Woman Lawyer Who Took Down America's Most Powerful Mobster by Stephen L. Carter

Black attorneys represent around 5% of attorneys in the USA, and reading a biography of a black female attorney who beat the odds in the 1940s was both encouraging and cautionary. The author is the grandson of Eunice Hunton Carter, and this book explores the woman he was both intimated and mystified by. It was insightful to see how much things have stayed the same as an attorney. Like her, I can expect a career of constantly being the only African American in the room. However, unlike her, I have many more options of what areas I can work in. I was encouraged by her aspirations and her doggedness to go after what she felt was her path. I was also cautioned because she seemingly dropped the ball as a mother, friend, and sister. However, it was fascinating to read about a black woman who blazed a path for those to follow. I enjoyed learning about the time as well. My only complaint about this book is I wish the author had spent more time on the mob case.

#2 Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave by Frederick Douglass

This book is dense! I had to read slowly and take my time. This isn't an easy book to read, and it took me about a month. It's hard. Not only is this written in a completely different time, so the structure is different, but also the content of the book is hard. Frederick Douglass takes us on a journey from his childhood to his escape from slavery. He doesn't hold back in naming names and giving examples of the horrors of slavery. He talks about the hypocrisy of enslavers who profess Christ. This copy also included his 4th of July speech which is spectacular. It also includes his fiction work "The Heroic Slave," which I thought weaved his 4th of July speech and his narrative theme throughout the story. I highly recommend reading and digesting this book.

#1 The Fifth Season (The Broken Earth Trilogy Book 1) by N.K. Jemisin

My favorite book of 2021 was a fantasy written uniquely. We follow Essun, Damaya, and Syenite as they grow, evolve, and suffer. This is a world where the people believe that the Earth hates them. This book was wonderful in so many different ways. The character development was outstanding, and the story really pulled me in. I didn't take any highlights or take notes from this book because I was so immersed in the story. This book tackled racism, classism, and environmental disaster compellingly. At the same time, the trauma and the social commentary were present, written in a way that didn't feel like another book about black trauma. The world is different from ours, but the reader could draw life parallels. The book took me a minute to adjust to the writing style and took a little bit to immerse me in the story entirely, but overall, it was a great book. If you are into audiobooks, this would be a great one to listen to.

Conclusion

2021 was a good year of reading, and I believe 2022 will be even better. My goal is to get through 50 books this year, 12 of those being nonfiction. Please subscribe to read full reviews, comparisons, or rants about what I consume, including books. Follow me on Goodreads and/or StoryGraph to keep up with what I am currently reading. Storygraph even has a buddy read option now, so reach out if you want to buddy read and discuss a book. Happy New Year!!

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