Every year since getting pregnant with Mac, I set a goal for myself on Goodreads to read one book a month. ONE. That's 12 books total for the year, for all you math geniuses like myself out there, counting along on your fingers. Want to take a guess at how many of the last 5 years I've reached that goal? If you guessed a big fat ZERO, then you'd be correct. Not one single year. This English major used to read about a book a week, so it kills me to say that. But all that changed this past year!
2016 was a big year for me. It was the first year in a long long time that I felt like my former self again, now that I've emerged from those first couple post-baby sleep-deprived hormone-raging years. I traveled, I spent time with friends, I started running again. It was also the year that I discovered how much I really like audiobooks. While I'll always love the smell of paper and the feel of turning your own pages, but I cannot deny how much I love the convenience of audiobooks. I don't know how I ever managed to go this long in life without them.
I listen in the car on my way to and from work, on long runs and while working out, in the evening while I'm editing photos and working on the computer, while I'm getting ready in the morning, while grocery shopping. I love that they let me multi-task and get other things done at the same time. Double win. I still listen to my favorite podcasts too, but audiobooks have dominated my attention these days. I ended up "reading" (mostly listening to) 42 books last year! FORTY-TWO!
I've printed the full list below and noted a few of my favorites (and disappointments), but if you want my full review (or want to see what I'm reading now), follow me on Goodreads. You might notice I have an affinity for WW2/Holocaust books - I can't get enough of them, so if you have a recommendation for a good one, please send it my way! And if you have questions about any book in particular, ask in the comments!
Total books read: 42
Best book: All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
Worst book: Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger
Feel good book: A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
Biggest disappointment: White Teeth by Zadie Smith
Biggest surprise like: The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
Best biography: Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand
Best thriller: No One Knows by J.T. Ellison
Toughest read: A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
Most fun to read: Wonder by R.J. Palacio
Wish I liked more: The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead
Wish it would never end: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Wish it would've ended a bit sooner: The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt (but loved it)
Easy beach read: Where'd You Go Bernadette by Maria Semple
Best rainy day read: The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd
2016 Reading List
What was the best book you read in 2016?
That is impressive! I've started my love affair with Audible too and listen to books while I'm getting ready, driving to work, etc. Love it! 42 books is incredible!
ReplyDeleteSO impressive!!!! When we lived in Edwardsville and I worked in Fenton (holy commute!) I used to listen to audio books all the time. But the number of books I've read SINCE then is embarrassing! Happy New Year, friend!!
ReplyDeleteWay to go!! Number the Stars is a good one. I used it as a read aloud with my fourth graders. It brought up so many amazing conversations.
ReplyDeleteGirl!!! That's amazing!!! I'm so proud of you for making time for you!
ReplyDeleteSo impressive!! My mom has raved about A Man Called Ove. She loved the movie too. This year I've had fun reading some kid classics with my boys. We read Because of Winn Dixie, The Indian in the Cupboard, Turtle in Paradise, and The Fourteenth Goldfish (blah for me but the guys liked it). It's been fun rediscovering books with them. Now they are on a Hardy Boys binge with Chris.
ReplyDeleteWe have such similar taste in books! So adding a few of these to my "to-read" list. Now if only, I could manage two books a month because right now Book Club is picking all my books for me.
ReplyDeleteSo impressed, my goal is the classic 12 books in 12 months. I just finished my first and will definitely reference this list in choosing more!
ReplyDeleteSO many great books! And, so many I need to pick up (or listen to... I don't think I've ever done an audio book??)!
ReplyDeleteLove WWII books too. Some suggestions for you:
ReplyDeleteCharlotte Grey - Sebastian Faulkes
The Reader Bernhard Sclink
A Little Love Song - Michelle Magorian
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas - John Boyne
The Zookeepers Wife - Diane Ackerman
My goal this year is to read 100 books - no children and a 2 hour train commute are on my side plus i'm a very fast reader! Love reading and glad to have some suggestions from your list!
Just realised you've read the zookeepers wife opps!
DeleteI've read a lot of these! Zachary's class is going to be reading Number The Stars soon. I'm pretty sure I read it when I was in school but I think I should read it again! I read Wonder when Gabbie's class read it!
ReplyDeleteI've read 7 of your books! ONLY SEVEN!! Thanks for all the book ideas. I, too, love WW2/Holocaust books.
ReplyDeleteForty-two books is pretty dang impressive! You bookworm. So many of these on your list I have never read before. Adding some of these to my goodreads now! My commute each day is pretty short, but I do wait an hour in the car every afternoon (school pick up line). I need to fill that time with reading or listening to a book rather than scrolling through social media.
ReplyDeleteSo I just logged into Bloglovin and looked at blogs for this first time in months. How fun to find this post from you! I love annual book review posts and miss writing one! You read some great books this year! I have a few of the same titles still on my to-read list. I don't know if I can pick a favorite 2016 read - really loved Ready Player One and Homegoing.
ReplyDeleteSo happy to hear you got your groove back in 2016 - hope 2017 is even better!