I'm pleased with the number of books I've managed to read this year, especially as my reading dropped off a bit after my dad died in June. I found myself unable to concentrate on reading, as well as most other things, during this time but I did get back into it again eventually. During December though I've only read two books as I just haven't seemed to have time for anything. In total I've read seventy five books this year.
In 2015 I challenged myself to read Agatha Christie's murder mystery books in chronological order. There are 66 in total and I averaged one book a month for five and a half years, having completed this challenge just before my dad died. I never got the chance to tell him I'd finished reading them all, he was always interested in which book I was reading having read some of them himself.
I've found some new to me authors this year so as well as reading books by authors I already enjoy, I've read quite a few books from some different authors, some of which I'll continue to read. Some new favourites are Dani Atkins, Elaine Everest, Celeste Ng and Mary Gibson. Some old favourites are Charity Norman, Amanda Prowse, Jojo Moyes and Donna Douglas.
Passenger to Frankfurt - Agatha Christie
The Colours of All the Cattle - Alexander McCall Smith
Nella Last's Peace - Nella Last
Nemesis - Agatha Christie
Elephants Can Remember - Agatha Christie
Postern of Fate - Agatha Christie
The Nurses of Steeple Street - Donna Douglas
District Nurse on Call - Donna Douglas
The Light in the Hallway - Amanda Prowse
A Nightingale Christmas Promise - Donna Douglas
The Librarian of Auschwitz - Antonio Iturbe
Nightingale Wedding Bells - Donna Douglas
To the Land of Long Lost Friends - Alexander McCall Smith
The Girl in the Red Coat - Kate Hamer
The View From the Corner Shop - Kathleen Hey
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry - Rachel Joyce
The Story of Us - Dani Atkins
A Good Heart is Hard to Find - Trisha Ashley
While I Was Sleeping - Dani Atkins
Our Song - Dani Atkins
This Love - Dani Atkins
The Christmas Sisters - Sarah Morgan
The Choice - Edith Eger
Fractured - Dani Atkins
The Woolworths Girls - Elaine Everest
If Nobody Speaks of Remarkable Things - Jon McGregor
The Other Half of Augusta Hope - Joanna Glen
The Perfect Couple - Jackie Kabler
In Five Years - Rebecca Serle
Half a World Away - Mike Gayle
Curtain - Agatha Christie
A Mother's Journey - Donna Douglas
Dear Edward - Ann Napolitano
The Wish List - Ruby Hummingbird
Found - Erin Kinsley
Sleeping Murder - Agatha Christie
One Split Second - Caroline Bond
Three Hours - Rosamund Lupton
When All is Said - Anne Griffin
Love After Love - Ingrid Persaud
Little Fires Everywhere - Celeste Ng
The Man Who Didn't Call - Rosie Walsh
The Keeper of Lost Things - Ruth Hogan
The Secrets of Strangers - Charity Norman
Poirot Investigates - Agatha Christie
The Garden of Lost Memories - Ruby Hummingbird
The Beekeeper of Aleppo - Christy Lefteri
Sister of Mine - Laurie Petrou
The Day She Came Back - Amanda Prowse
Where There's a Will - Beth Corby
The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding - Agatha Christie
I Confess - Alex Barclay
The Chain - Adrian McKinty
The Day the Nazis Came - Stephen R Matthews
The Alibi Girl - CJ Skuse
Everything I Never Told You - Celeste Ng
All We Left Behind - Danielle R Graham
Hughie Mittman's Fear of Lawnmowers - Conor Bowman
The Holiday - TM Logan
Christmas at Woolworths - Elaine Everest
Wartime at Woolworths - Elaine Everest
The Two Lives of Lydia Bird - Josie Silver
A Gift From Woolworths - Elaine Everest
After the End - Clare Mackintosh
Blood Orange - Harriet Tyce
Foreign Fruit - Jojo Moyes
Custard Tarts and Broken Hearts - Mary Gibson
Jam and Roses - Mary Gibson
Gunner Girls and Fighter Boys - Mary Gibson
Bourbon Creams and Tattered Dreams - Mary Gibson
Hattie's Home - Mary Gibson
A Sister's Struggle - Mary Gibson
The Peacock Emporium - Jojo Moyes
One Moment - Linda Green
The Secret Santa - Trish Harnetiaux
The stand out book for me this year was The Other Half of Augusta Hope by Joanna Glen. I don't know what it was about this book that did it for me, it's just a touching story which is beautifully written and I came across it by chance during the first lockdown when I'd run out of books to read so I was looking for something on my Kindle. In fact, I stumbled across many books this way this year. Other memorable books were The Librarian of Auschwitz by Antonio Iturbe, The Beekeeper of Aleppo by Christy Lefteri and Custard Tarts and Broken Hearts by Mary Gibson.
Now that my Agatha Christie challenge has come to an end I'd like to think of a new reading challenge, what that will be I don't know, however, I'm going to cut back on my reading in 2021. I've found that I immerse myself in whatever I'm reading to the detriment of my other hobbies. I'd like to spend more time on them this coming year, but we'll see how it goes.
I've read 82 books this year, and like you found loads of new authors, I can't imagine not having a pile of books close by to read.
ReplyDeleteWow!That is an amazing list.During the year I have read quite a few of your recommendations and shall note down some more.Seeing in your side bar the one a day blanket,I am using up my stash to make yet another blanket.I usually manage 6 to 8 per evening.Five rounds each.
ReplyDeleteThat's an impressive list of reading material. Well done on completing your Agatha Christie challenge.
ReplyDeleteThat's an impressive amount of reading. I only read when I go to bed but I haven't been reading a lot lately, it always seems to slow down as the year goes on
ReplyDeleteThat's an impressive total, Jo. Well done you!
ReplyDeleteI loved the Man who didn't call. Your knitted work is incredible Jo. I'm hoping to get a couple of patterns and some wool this week to keep myself busy.
ReplyDeleteWell done Jo, that's no mean feat. Happy reading.
ReplyDeleteWell done in such a traumatic year. I've not read any novels this year, but do delve in & out of my reference books regularly. I also have trouble concentrating in stressful times & am a true Virgo in that I feel I should be doing something constructive all the time & helping others. Like you I miss my Dad terribly & it is actually his birthday today (29/12). He would have been 97. Take care, stay safe & huggles.
ReplyDelete75 books - that is really impressive! I've just finished one of the books in your first picture - Little Fires Everywhere. I very much enjoyed it. I love the idea of the Agatha Christie challenge, I've read a few of her books but probably not as many as I should!
ReplyDeleteI found you whilsst blog hopping, be lovely to see you over on mine at emeraldcottage.blogspot.com
Jillxo
I see you've read The Unlikely Pilgrimage Of Harold Fry - what did you think of it? I read it in April and was really impressed - I wrote a review on my blog and also sent a copy to Eileen, in fact I think that may be the one she sent on to you as she did mention it :) I also read the sequel to it - not quite as impressive but still good and with a very surprising twist at the end.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, I seem to remember reading it before Eileen, I got my copy from one of the charity book stalls in Tescos or the local chemist, I can't remember which now. I haven't read the sequel.
DeleteI've read around the same number over the year. Well done on reading all the Agatha Christie books, I've probably read them all but over many years. Good that you found a handful of memorable books. Happy reading. xx
ReplyDeleteI always love seeing what books the people have enjoyed. If you like a good mystery you might like the Inspector Gamache series by Louise Penny it is easily my favourite crime series and starts with Still Life, they are currently 16 in the series and one is published each year. You do have to read them in order because of the backstory which continues through all the books.
ReplyDeletewow, that is a seriously impressive list!
ReplyDeleteThat's a great feeling, isn't it. Well done! I have been an avid reader most of my life but this year really slacked off. I spent way too much time on YouTube watching Vlogs. I hope to finally find some balance in how I spend my time in 2021. I am keeping your list of books for future reference. I have already read all of Agatha's books and a few of the others. 💖
ReplyDeleteWow Jo that's an impressive amount of books, there's nothing better than getting lost in a good book. I'm having serious problems with my eyesight and have had to cut down on my reading. I am listening to more audio books but they take an age to listen to, reading a book I have found is so much quicker.
ReplyDeleteGreat. You have not wasted time this year. Please stay safe. Happy holidays to you.
ReplyDeleteI read The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry a few years ago and really enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteSadly, my reading has suffered this year, but I fully intend on getting back into the swing of things in the new year.
That's quite a bit of reading! thanks for the list. I think I will give some of them a look over. Have you read the Maisie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear? There about a dozen at this time, I think, and should be read in order. I found them to be enjoyable.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read the Maisie Dobbs series. Thank you for the recommendation.
DeleteWhat a fantastic list! I'm always on the lookout for recommendations and have written down some titles. So thanks for that. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
That is an impressive list and a lot of reading!xxx
ReplyDeleteWow Jo!
ReplyDeleteAn impressive list of books, well done :)
All the best Jan
I loved The Other Half of Augusta Hope, and I think it might've been your review that made me put it on my birthday wish list. I also really enjoyed The Keeper of Lost Things, I might have to read that again.
ReplyDeletexx