2020 Year in Reading and Goals for 2021

I set out at the start of 2020 hoping to match 2019 and read 135 books. However; like many peoples plans for last year, that didn’t go quite to plan. Between the stress of the pandemic, moving back to the US, buying a house, and adopting a very anxious puppy my reading time was not a priority. Things definitely got back on track toward the end of the year though and I did still mange to read 111 books. I wrote a post last week about my favorite books/series I read last year that you can read here so today’s post is a more general look at everything I read and what I hope to accomplish entering 2021. I document all of my reading on goodreads at the moment (but I’m open to trying new apps/websites if anyone has any suggestions!) and they compile a year in reading each year for users. You can see mine for 2020 here.

Overall, I read 111 books. The shortest book was a 26 page short story, and the longest was a 1,232 page epic fantasy novel. I read a total of 44,151 pages, my average book length was 397 pages, and my average rating was 3.8 stars. I read a lot of really great books last year that weren’t mentioned on this blog and didn’t quite make it to my top 5 favorites. If you’re looking through my goodreads list and want to know my thoughts on any of the books I read before I started reviewing them for my blog just let me know and I’ll be happy to provide them!

Looking forward to 2021 I have set lofty reading goals. I’ve decided to shoot for the moon and set my goal at 150 books. It’s 15 more books than I’ve ever managed to read in a year before, but hopefully now that I’ve settled into a good groove with my reading I can manage it.

I’d like to read more graphic novels (and maybe even give manga a try) this year and I would also like to re-read more books. I used to re-read books all the time but as my TBR started piling up and as I starting better keeping track of new releases I stopped making time to revisit old favorites and I would like to find time for that in 2021.

I used to always say that I needed to stop reading so much fantasy and broaden my horizons with non-fiction and contemporary adult literature but I think I’m done telling myself that. I read the non-fiction books that interest me and normally at least one literary fiction book per month (often more) and that’s way more than most people ever manage so if I want to spend the rest of my time reading the books that most interest me (mostly fantasy with a smattering of science fiction) then I will. I simply don't have the time or energy to force myself to wade through books I’m not excited about simply because I feel like that’s what I should be reading.

I’ve been working to compile a list of books I’m most interested in for this year and it hasn’t been a particularly successful endeavor. There are so many books and I keep making lists, but I can’t narrow them down. So here, briefly, are a couple I’m particularly looking forward to:

The Box in the Woods by Maureen Johnson (Summer 2021) - This is marketed as a stand-alone novel, but also book #4 in the Truly Devious series which is a little confusing. From what I can gather we’re following teen sleuth Stevie Bell in her first case outside the walls of Ellingham Academy. Stevie is recruited to solve a mystery at a summer camp and she brings her friends to be counselors and help out. I believe this can be read if you haven’t read the Truly Devious novels, but I’m sure you’d be lacking a little context and it may spoil some things if you were ever to go back and read that trilogy. If you like YA mystery though I’d highly recommend the Truly Devious Series because it is really top notch.

My Contrary Mary by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows (Summer 2021) - What is bound to be a ridiculous and hilarious re-telling of the life of Mary Queen of Scots.

Reputation by Lex Croucher (Summer 2021) - A regency era romantic comedy by a debut novelist featuring middle-class Georgiana Ellers as she attempts to navigate high society life. I’m expecting this one to be laugh out loud funny and just overall a wild ride.

The Serpents Curse by Lisa Maxwell (Spring 2021) - This is the 3rd book in The Last Magician series. This series is so good and not enough people are reading/talking about it. It’s a fantasy series set mostly in 1902 NYC (there’s some time travel involved) featuring magicians, and gangs, and evil societies and it’s just really fantastic.

Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune (Fall 2021) - A new book from the author of one of my favorite books of 2020. I will probably read everything he releases in the future because if they have even a tenth of the warmth and the charm that The House in the Cerulean Sea has it will be worth it.

Hazel Bly and the Deep Blue Sea by Ashley Herring Blake (Spring 2021) - Another one of my favorite authors. I’ll read anything she releases, but I’m always most excited for her middle-grade novels they’re always so sweet and delightful to read.

What are you most looking forward to reading this year? Any new books I should look out for? Let me know!