I started 2021 with a goal to read 100 books. I fell far short of the goal. I had a very hard time finding good books and managed to finish only 43.

Friends who know I love to read often ask me to recommend books, so I thought I’d add this post to my Journal to make it easier to share. I lean towards mysteries and historical novels. I can’t get through a book with a lot of foul language. I don’t care for romantic novels. So, from my conservative point of view here are my highest rated reads from 2021 in the order in which I read them:

  • The Opposite of Fate by Amy Tan
  • The Bone Code by by Kathy Riches
  • The Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth Ware
  • Made for This Moment by Max Lucado
  • The Judge’s List by John Grisham
  • Nurse, Come You Here! by Mary J. MacLeod
  • Call the Nurse by Mary J. MacLeod
  • Sooley by John Grisham
  • The Seamstress by Sara Tuvel Bernstein
  • The Unanswered Letter by Faris Cassell

Yep. That’s it. As I said, it’s been a disappointing year for books.

Here are a few that were good but didn’t rate the highest marks:

  • Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane
  • Tending Roses by Lisa Wingate
  • The Cottingly Secret by Hazel Gaynor
  • Camino Winds by John Grisham
  • The Accidental Empress by Allison Pataki

Sadly, these were books I started but could not finish because of bad language or because they were just boring:

  • Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese
  • The Scam by Janet Evanovich
  • The Girl from the Savoy by Hazel Gaynor
  • The Secret of Chimneys by Agatha Christie
  • The 71/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle (apparently I’m the only person on the planet that didn’t just absolutely love this book!) by Stuart Turton
  • One by One by Ruth Ware
  • Things I Never Told You by Kelly Rimmer (VERY disappointing. This is a pure propaganda piece for Planned Parenthood!)

I think for 2022 I’ll set my goal for 52 and see if I can find one good book a week. Please feel free to comment with your suggestions.

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