2021 Year in Review & 2022 tbr

My year goal was to read 13 books. (I was trying to keep it realistic.) This year I read 23 books and 16 picture books.

 I started 2021 very strong, reading two books a month for some time. Then things got away from me. Anyhow let's get into it, in no particular order:

1. The Lunar Chronicles: Cinder (book 1) by Marissa Meyer (5 star)
2. The Lunar Chronicles: Scarlet (book 2) by Marissa Meyer (5 star)
   I am falling in love with this series. Love the twist of a cyborg Cinderella.
   
3. Spooky Science: Debunking the Pseudoscience of the Afterlife by John Grant (2 star)
   I did not finish this book. I read the first chapter/section and then skipped to another section that interested me but did not find it funny which from the back summary thought it would be. It was interesting just not enough for me to finish in it's entirety.
   
4. Root Magic by Eden Royce (4 star)
   Cute book for middle graders. Recommend for magic lovers.
   
5. The Ghosts of Heaven by Marcus Sedgwick (4 star)
   Very much enjoyed. Even tried to reenact one of the stories in my sims game. Still need to finish the game play.
   
6. Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures by Kate DiCamillo (3 star)
   Another cute book for middle graders. Read it to compare the book to the Disney + movie.
   
7.  The Program (book 1) by Suzanne Young (4 star)
   Kept my interest enough to read the second book. The Treatment is on my tbr for 2022.
   
8. A Fierce and Subtle Poison by Samantha Mabry (4 star)
   Picked up the book because it was set in PR. I liked the story and would reread - keeping this one in my library.
   
9. The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee (4 star)
   I don't read too much of this kind of romance but I enjoyed it.
   
10. Island Treasures: Growing Up in Cuba by Alma Flor Ada (3 star)
    For a book i bought from the Dollar Tree, I liked it. Gave me visions of Cuba. Went well with the next book on the list.
    
11. In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez (3 star)
    HPL big read book about Cuba. The book is better than the movie.
    
12. P.S. I still Love You (book 2 of To All the Boys I've Loved Before) by Jenny Han (3 star)
13. Always and Forever, Lara Jean (book 3) by Jenny Han (3 star)
    I waited on watching the Netflix films until i finished both books. Glad I did.
14. Monster and Boy by Hannah Barnaby (4 star)
    Cute story for young readers.
    
15. In a Sleeping Life by Ruth Rendell (3 star)
    This and the next book was just fun to read. I enjoyed sharing my commentary on FB.
    
16. Innocent by Jo Micheals  (2 star)
17. The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux (3 star)
    I love the 2004 movie. And one of these years i will have a mascarade ball. So for October i thought this would be the perfect book.  I new it would be different than a muscial and was expecting it to be a little harder to read but it wasn't. What I really enjoyed most is the writing style.
18. Merry Friggin' Christmas: An Edgy Christmas Comedy by Joesph Cillo Jr. (1 star)
    Technically finished this on the first but I'm counting it anyways. This wasn't for me, sorry. 
19. The Sword of Shannara by Terry Brooks (4 star)
    Yes, i know I finally finished it. Would not have done so without the audible but it is done. The second book Elfstones of Shannara is on my tbr but realistically not going to start till mid year.
20. Robinson's Dream by Mark Lages (3 star)
    The least favorite of Mark's books that i have. I think my obession to over think things made this book hard to follow. Tracing the dreams after dreams i myself began to question what is real for the main character. The book took me a while to finish, I rather read something something else but finish i did. 
21. Part of Your World by Liz Braswell (4 star)
    Another Twisted Tale worthy of my collection.
    
22. Joyride by Anna Banks (4 star)
    This was a good book about immigration. I think it should be on all the schools summer reading list.
    
23. The Waking Land by Callie Bates (4 star)
    I enjoyed this world and that moment in the woods (wink wink).
24. Brenda's Beaver Needs a Barber by Bimisi Tayanita (5 star)
    Thanks to Tik Tok I had to go buy and read this book for my self. It is a picture book but not for children. It's Hilarious and you should read it for yourself. 
25. Weird Tales: The Magazine That Never Dies by Marvin Kaye (3 star)
    Read 1 story from Weird Tales for Halloween. I read Mr. George written by August Derleth in 1947. It was creepy but I loved it.

Children's Picture Books: So I volunteered to read to school children during the summer school and had to find the perfect books to share so I have a bit more children books on my list than I normally would 

1. Gingersnap Snatcher by Vicky Weber (3 star)
   Cute hispanic christmas story
   
2. Off the Hook: A Christmas Ornament Adventure by John Arvai III (3 star)
   Especially like the idea that the Christmas star lights the way for Santa and his way on checking in.
   
3. A Wish to be a Christmas Tree by Colleen Monroe (5 star)
   This almost made me cry, ok fine it did.
   
4. The Angry Dragon by Michael Gordon (5 star)
5. Where Are My Books? by Debbie Ridpath Ohi (5 star)
6. Moana: The Mighty Maui Makes a Friend by Kalikolehua Hurley (3 star)
   The kids also enjoyed this story. Though I wish I can sound more like the Rock.
   
7. We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom (5 star)
   Loved the art work and the message.
   
8. Lacey Walker, Nonstop Talker by Christine C. Jones (4 star)
9. Mercy Watson to the Rescue by Kate DiCamillo (3 star)
   The kids enjoyed this story with it's small humor. I even purchased a copy for my nephew who finished it in a day. He's having difficulties finishing books so that speaks a lot.
   
10. What's in There?: All about before you were born by Robie H. Harris (2 star)
    thought this would be a good book for my niece who's mother is expecting
    
11. Spat the Cat: I scream for Ice Cream by Rob Scotton (4 star)
12. Pete the Cat: Five Little Ducks by James Dean (4 star)
13. Pete the Cat goes camping by James Dean (3 star)
14. Sit. Stay. Love. Life Lessons from a Doggie by Chalaine Kilduff (5 star)
    so cute. gonna have to pick a copy up for myself.
    
15. The Witch and the Anxious Broomstick by Sonica Ellis (3 star)

 

Currently Reading and 2022 TBR:

• I started reading Frozen 2: Dangerous Secrets: The Story of Iduna and Agnarr by Mari Mancusi in 2021. So far i'm really enjoying it but i am reading it with my niece so depending on her reading speed this may take longer than usual. 
• Still need to finish the second book of  Mind Readers: The Mind Thieves by Lori Brighton
  
• On the top of my list to start and complete is the third book of the Lunar Chronicles: Cress as well as the short story The Queens's Army by Marissa Meyer.
  
• As well as continuing the Outlander series since the show will soon continue: Book 4 Drums of Autumn by Diana Gabaldon - still not sure if i am on book 4 or 5. 
• Another book of the Twisted Tales - not sure which one i will choose yet.
  
•  The Elfstones of Shannara by Terry Brooks. I hope to start by mid year. 
• I hope to get to the third book of Ravenspire The Traitor Prince by C.J. Redwine 
• I also hope to read the second book of the Paper Magician series The Glass Magician by Charlie N. Holmberg.
• The Night Gardener by Jonathan Auzier - i will have to restart. I will probably be listening to this book and get it off my prime reading list.
  
• For October I plan on starting the Killing Eve series Codename Villanelle by Luke Jennings
  
• I did not get a chance to purchase but hopefully i do get it this year - The Truth Pixie by Matt Haig