Books Read so Far 2021
- rena
- Mar 31, 2021
- 5 min read
Updated: Nov 24, 2021
I did not intend to have read this many books in just three months! I'm excited to share the 12 books I have read during the first three months of 2021, aka what most business owners call quarter one (Q1).
I decided to break my year into quarters, so I will follow-up with the other three quarters! Links are affiliate links with Amazon, I may receive a commission. So in no particular order, here are the books read for January, February, and March:
by Sigmund Freud
I mainly read this book because I am doing a little research of dreams for a project I intend to start this summer. It was interesting in the beginning, then it moved more to neurosis. This is about a 500 page book with Freud's lectures, so it can be a bit dry. Obviously, this is also dated, and there have been some new insights in the world of psychology, but it is always interesting to see where it all started. I have a few more dream-related books so I am intrigued to see where the research takes me!
by Kurt Vonnegut Jr
I am going to come right out and say it: I am a sucker for Kurt Vonnegut. I have almost read all his works. I had an independent study about him and his work during college. This book was created by his daughter using the love letters he wrote to her mother before he really started writing and being published. As you can see from the first two books here, I love to see the beginning. In this case, I already know the end, but call me a romantic.
by Margaret Atwood
I'm not sure what I was expecting with this book, and I am surprised the plot was never spoiled to me since it is now a TV series, but I am so glad I picked it up. I also did not realize it was a series. I do intend to continue this. It was free with Prime Reading, so I am glad that service has allowed me to test the book before committing to another series. If you like books that push societal norms or feel post-normal society, this is for you!
by Luanna Smith
Yet another book that took me by surprise and was another series I found on Prime Reading.. I've been trying to avoid series because there is just so much to read and I used last year to try to catch up on all the series I was in the middle of, but seems like every author gets a 3-book deal. This book was a nice little palette cleanser - not too complicated and a very quick read. I am still debating if I want to continue the series, but I think this book works as a stand-alone as well.
by Scott Lynch
This has been one of the best fantasy books I've picked up in awhile. It was recommended by my husband's coworker, which is yet again another series. This can work as a stand-alone book in my opinion, however, I will pick up another Gentleman Bastard book in a heartbeat. Not a typical drab fantasy novel - it is written very modern and has a beautiful setting.
by Sarah Knight
For those of you who don't know me - HI, my name is rena and I am a procrastinator. And I like to read one what makes me a procrastinator and act surprised when I read the reason. This book is a very modern, conversational book on how to make time for what you want/need to do. I am still working on setting priorities, but with the helpful list trick and the reminder that there is time in a day, I feel like I am finally working through the projects and personal things I have been meaning to do. Now, if only there was a magical formula for motivation ...
by Susan Beth Pfeffer
Written from a perspective of a 15-year-old's diary, this book follows a family during a pandemic. The moon moves a little closer to earth, causing a disruption in the world's weather, agriculture, and of course society. Personally, I had my share of whiny teenagers narrating books, but I would say this is written pretty accurately in terms of whiny teenager. Also not sure why I thought reading a pandemic book during a pandemic was a good idea, but here we are. It wasn't scary. This is another series, but I won't be picking up any of the other books.
by Brené Brown
Braving the Wilderness brings the right perspective to what is going on in the world. It covers some of the feelings of the election and "them vs us" mentality. I had read Dare to Lead by Brené Brown around this time last year, and absolutely loved it. It was nice to read a book that didn't need a workbook and that really put some things into a different perspective for me. Big recommend.
by Seth Godin
Marketing your thing? I had finished this in a day. It is definitely worth the read. Simple, concise chapters communication how old marketing tricks won't work in the new age of marketing and educated consumers. I do plan on trying some of Godin's other marketing books.
by Ransom Riggs
I started this series because my grandma read it and wanted to share with me. I'll admit, I thought the first book was a little weird, but I have to say I am glad I continued reading. It certainly is very different from other books I have read, and it's refreshing to read something so different! This is the fifth book in the series and I think each book gets a little better than the last. Just as a heads up, this book is written from a 16-year-old boys perspective and the prose is Young Adult. But it is a very enjoyable read if that doesn't matter to you. I believe the sixth book was out last month, so I will have to hunt for it soon!
by Jan Spiller
I have been on a spiritual journey trying to find something that resonates with me. I have been dipping into astrology, more than a daily horoscope from Cosmo (although I rather enjoy those too!), to see if space can tell me about the Universe. According to Spiller, your north node tells you what you're supposed to learn in this life. I did not expect it to hit home for me. Everyone's nodes are in here, and it is well worth picking up if you feel like being introspective and it's a good book to keep on the coffee table for any visitors curious as to what this life should bring!
by Max Brooks
I've been meaning to read this book for years. Finally picked it up. Even though zombies aren't popular anymore, this book is very interesting if you are more interested in how armies operate. Taking the perspectives of multiple leaders and people around the world, each tells their part in how they contributed to the Zombie War and some aftereffects of the massive desecration. Not a typical story-like book, more journalistic interviews and accounts. Still worth a read even if zombies aren't your thing anymore.
As you can see, I don't have a specific genre I stick too! Please feel free to give any recommendations and let me know if you read any on the list!
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