I blame the pandemic. My reading was off in 2020. Not in numbers, mind you; I read and reviewed 709 books in 2020, Goodreads tells me, and no one would be less than proud to share that. But what percentage was fiction books?
I couldn't read adult fiction last year. Only 14% of my reading was adult fiction. And only half of that, a mere 7% of my reading, was contemporary adult fiction; the rest were classics.
Here are novels I wanted to read but did not read in 2020. Please talk me into reading these.
Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
Reading in Bed by Sue Gee
Jack by Marilynne Robinson
Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam
Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi
The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Ask Me Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane
Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together. Each Tuesday That Artsy Reader Girl assigns a topic and then post her top ten list that fits that topic. You’re more than welcome to join her and create your own top ten (or 2, 5, 20, etc.) list as well. Feel free to put a unique spin on the topic to make it work for you! Please link back to That Artsy Reader Girl in your own post so that others know where to find more information.
Without knowing any of them, and looking for the titles I would start with Before the coffee gets cold and Readinf in bed. Sounds like easygoing and maybe fun reads.
ReplyDeleteI would like to read Marilyn Robinson's books. I also have Before the Coffee Gets Cold sitting unread on my shelves. Start with that one. It's short and might get your reading mood back.
ReplyDeleteThose are new to me ones. I hope you're able to get them all this year!
ReplyDeleteHere's my Tuesday Post
Have a GREAT day!
Old Follower :)
Great list! I've heard interesting things about Before the coffee gets cold.
ReplyDeleteLooks exciting. I have read "Between the World and Me" by Ta-Nehisi Coates and would probably read his other book next if I had your pile.
ReplyDeleteMy TTT.
I had the same problem last year, Deb. You're definitely not alone.
ReplyDeleteMy post.
The only one in your stack that I've read is Ask Again, Yes. I listened to it in 2019 and gave it a 4.5/5 rating. You can find my review here. I'm hoping to read Leave the World Behind sometime in the coming months.
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a great reading list for this year as well as last. I hope you're able to conquer it this year!
ReplyDeleteI haven't read any of these so I can't be very persuasive, I'm afraid. I hope you're able to read them and enjoy them at some point this year.
ReplyDeleteSorry, I know none of these from experience so no recommendations here. I am interested in "The Water Dancer."
ReplyDeleteI am not familiar with any of these books, Deb, however I hope you will have the chance to read them this year and that you'll enjoy them. 🙂
ReplyDeleteI can recommend Transcendent Kingdom. Excellent book and I think you'll like it. I have just started reading Jack and so far I am not impressed so we'll see how it goes.
ReplyDeleteHmmm...I haven't heard of these novels, but they sound interesting! Great list!
ReplyDeleteHere’s my TTT!
Ronyell @ Rabbit Ears Book Blog
I haven't read any of these, but several of them are on my TBR list as well. *Sigh* So many books, so little time ...
ReplyDeleteHappy TTT!
I've only read Ask Again, Yes, but I really enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteThat novel has been on my TBR for a while. I really need to get to it...
DeleteWell, the Water Dancer involves magical realism/African mythology. You might not have known that. Tough topic: SLAVERY. I want to read JACK too! Maybe this year.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read any of these but a few are on my TBR. I suggest to randomly pick one! You could randomly pick one every few months and get through that list? I hope you get to them!
ReplyDeleteFrom your list, I've only read Transcendent Kingdom, which I liked, but didn't love as much as Homegoing.
ReplyDeleteI also didn't get to Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane. I need to read that book soon.
ReplyDeleteHere's my Top Ten Tuesday list.
That is a lot of books. I struggled to read anything in 2020 so I'm holding onto the hope that this year will be different (while thinking it might not be). Anyhoo, I hope 2021 brings back your love for fiction and that you're able to get to this book stack. Here's my post: https://www.nbiblioholic.com/2021/01/ten-of-books-i-meant-to-read-in-2020.html
ReplyDelete2020 was not a good reading year for me. The Alam book looks really good to me, plus it's just such an attractive book design.
ReplyDeleteThe Water Dancer was one of my started-then-had-to-return books last year; and then I never got back to it but I do need to get to it soon.. And 709 is nothing to scoff at considering you read and reviewed that many!!!
ReplyDeleteBased on just the titles Reading in Bed sounds like a good one, and Before the Coffee Gets Cold. Hope you enjoy.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed Leave the World Behind for the intense storyline and how the author chose to tell it. Not everyone will appreciate that but I think you might. It is a riveting, quick read so there's that. You could read it in one sitting.
ReplyDeleteYou will love Transcendent Kingdom. I reviewed it if you want to be sure you would like it.
ReplyDeleteTranscendent Kingdom is one I meant to read too. I enjoyed Ask Again, Yes when I read it.
ReplyDeleteHope you'll enjoy all of these in 2021!
ReplyDeleteIt was hard to find my reading pace last year. So many DNFs and I couldn't really enjoy thrillers as much as I normally do. I hope you'll give Ask Again, Yes a chance. I loved that one!
ReplyDeleteASK AGAIN YES is such a good read! A page-turner with such great characters and conflicts
ReplyDelete