My book reviews went entirely off the rails this year, but a new year offers a chance to start fresh. I learned it’s important for me to review books after I read them because I remember the stories so much better. In looking over the books I read this year, I noticed that I don’t remember them as well as I usually do. I was shocked to log in and prepare to post my annual round-up and to realize I hadn’t written a blog post since January!

My favorite read of the year was Percival Everett’s novel, James. It is subversive and smart, managing to make something brand new out of a classic and critiquing it simultaneously.

I read a lot of poetry and am glad I did that. I picked up more books after the election because the news started to feel too difficult to face. I habitually listened to the local NPR station on my commutes to and from work, but I started listening to audiobooks instead.

I discovered cozy mysteries set in Ireland. I would never say they’re great literature, but they are fun to read. I realized a lifelong dream of traveling to the UK and Ireland with my sister. We had the best time, and I kept a written junk journal of the trip. So much of the reading I did after was set in Ireland.

I also bought a house this year, which was another lifelong dream. It’s a charming, extremely cute colonial near the end of a dirt road at the top of a hill. We have a lovely yard, and our roses bloomed until November. This year has included so many firsts!

I haven’t decided on any reading challenges yet. I will probably do a historical fiction challenge, but I am not sure about others.

I’m going to try to be better about posting my reviews this year. It was an eventful year!

Here is a link to my Goodreads Year in Books.