With another year of reading and blogging under my belt, I’ve come to the realization that although the number of books I read seems to be lower than the last few years (just guessing - I haven’t actually counted), my reading has become more eclectic. And this is a good thing. Although I wrote a novel based on a historical timeline, and am now heavily committed to another book based in the past, I tend not to read historical fiction. Likewise suspense, although I love writing it. I’m sure there’s a school of thought that says I shouldn’t be doing this, but other than a few books for research purposes, these aren’t the genres I gravitate to. I usually read a number of mysteries and non-fictions, and although I don’t typically set reading goals, I vow next year to expand my bookish horizons. Perhaps it’s not entirely helpful, or popular, to list what I’ve read for the year, so if you can think of anything else I should start tracking, please let me know in the comments. Top Fiction: City of Thieves by David Benioff Top Canadian Fiction: Scarborough by Catherine Hernandez Top Book from an Indigenous Writer: Five Little Indians by Michelle Good Top Non-Fiction: These Precious Days by Ann Patchett Top Fictionalized book based on true events: Furious Hours by Casey Cep Top book I couldn’t forget: A Little Life by Tanya Yanagihara Other Reads: By Grand Central Station I Sat Down & Wept by Elizabeth Smart The Magician by Colm Toibin When we Lost Our Heads by Heather O’Neill The Spies of Zurich by Richard Wake Tales from Firozsha Baag by Rohinton Mistry Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout Floating in My Mother’s Palm by Ursula Hegi Damage by Josephine Hart The Devil & the White City by Erik Larson White Shadow by Roy Jacobsen Klara & the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid A Long, Long Way by Sebastian Barry The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton The Little Red Chairs by Edna O’Brien The Best of Me by David Seders Forgone by Russell Banks The Cruel Stars of the Night by Kjell Eriksson White Tears/Brown Scars by Rudy Hamad Oh William! By Elizabeth Strout The Listeners by Jordan Tannhill Agent Running in the Field by John Le Carre The Bay of Love & Sorrows by David Adams Richards Medium Raw by Anthony Bourdain Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris An American Marriage by Tayari Jones Sisters in Resistance by Tilar Mazzeo Lost in the Valley of Death by Harley Rustad Lovers at the Chameleon Club by Francis Prose The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris Amy & Isabelle by Elizabeth Strout The Midnight Library by Matt Haig The Origin of Species by Nino Ricci The Hand That Trembles by Kjell Eriksson Daydreams of Angels by Heather O’Neill My Name is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout The Master by Colm Toibin Fresh Water for Flowers by Valerie Perrin Just Like You by Nick Hornby Under Occupation by Alan Durst Target Switzerland by William N. Walker The Burgess Boys by Elizabeth Strout Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel The Secret Scripture by Sebastian Barry Lesser Known Monsters of the 21st Century by Kim Fu Stray Dog by Raw Hage Lucy by the Sea by Elizabeth Strout Reading Like a Writer by Francis Prose Fall of Man in Winslow by David Lagercrantz Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt Anything is Possible by Elizabeth Strout The Astonishing Legend of Johnny P’Tou by Rick Gillis Trust by Herman Diaz The Sleeping Car Porter by Suzette Mayr If an Egyptian Cannot Speak English by Noor Naga We Measure the Earth With Our Bodies by Tsering Yangzom Lama I’m proud of the number of books I was able to read this year despite the other demands on my time. Strangely, publishing a book is a combination of freedom (yay, it’s out in the world) and stress (my god, I have to market it). If I thought writing the book was the hard part, it was just the beginning. Surprise, you have to actually talk about it. If you are interested in anyone but close friends and family reading it, you must also engage in the frightening exercise of self-promotion. This no doubt sounds like a nightmare to some and a dream come true to others but it’s currently my reality and I’m grateful to have a book available with which to do it. Speaking of being grateful, it’s the one side effect that remains consistent across my reading; reading people’s stories, both real and fictional is a constant reminder of how much I have to be grateful for in my life. Happy holidays my friends and thanks so much for allowing me to bring my reading and writing thoughts into your day. It’s an honour to share my passion for books with you and for keeping me connected to other readers like yourself. Take time for yourself, try to be kind, and above all, stay hopeful. All my best wishes for you and yours in the year ahead. In the meantime, happy reading! Joni
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