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In 2021 I decided I was going to finally tackle my stacks of books that have been left waiting around to be read.

So, I decided joining a challenge could help me to do that. The more I looked into it the more I ended up noticing that with many of these challenges I could overlap books.

This of course led me down the rabbit hole that is reading and challenges and discovering new books. It also hasn't actually helped me to read the books I actually have in my possession. Instead, I have been using Overdrive A LOT and also discovered the ease, and speed of using audiobooks. While not all the books I read were audiobooks many of them were.

I set an initial goal of 100 books for the year.

This was based off of the initial two (2) challenges I decided to participate in, the Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge and also Around the year in 52 Books. Then later I decided that while tackling those I could also try to see if the books I chose could satisfy the A-Z Title Challenge.

I also figured that if I managed to read books from my book clubs (that I'm behind on) as well, then all the better.

Book Clubs:
Our Shared Shelf (from Jan 2016-Dec 2020)
Hello Sunshine (Reese Witherspoon)
Oprah's Book Club

Below are my finished reads for each challenge.

Ultimate Popsugar Challenge 2021:
*Finished Reading..... 50/50

REGULAR
*1. A book that's published in 2021.....
Concrete Rose - Angie Thomas
*2. An Afrofuturist book.....
Zone One - Colson Whitehead
*3. A book that has a heart, diamond, club, or spade on the cover.....
The Bride Test - Helen Hoang
*4. A book by an author who shares your zodiac sign.....
Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey
*5. A dark academia book.....
Murder in Morningside Heights - Victoria Thompson
*6. A book with a gem, mineral, or rock in the title.....
Dry Bones - Craig Johnson
*7. A book where the main character works at your current or dream job.....
The Last House Guest - Megan Miranda
*8. A book that has won the Women’s Prize for Fiction.....
An American Marriage - Tayari Jones
*9. A book with a family tree.....
Hidden Valley Road: Inside the Mind of an American Family - Robert Kolker
*10. A bestseller from the 1990s.....
The Christmas Box - Richard Paul Evans
*11. A book about forgetting.....
The Once and Future Witches - Alix E. Harrow
*12. A book you have seen on someone’s bookshelf (in real life, on a Zoom call, in a TV show, etc.).....
American Dirt - Jeanine Cummins
*13. A locked-room mystery.....
One by One - Ruth Ware
*14. A book set in a restaurant.....
Arsenic and Adobo - Mia P. Manansala
*15. A book with a black-and-white cover.....
Open Book - Jessica Simpson
*16. A book by an indigenous author.....
Winter Counts - David Heska Wanbli Weiden
*17. A book that has the same title as a song.....
The Highwayman - Craig Johnson
*18. A book about a subject you are passionate about.....
How to Avoid a Climate Disaster: The Solutions We Have and the Breakthroughs We Need - Bill Gates
*19. A book that discusses body positivity.....
Shrill: Notes from a Loud Woman - Lindy West
*20. A book on a Black Lives Matter reading list.....
I'm Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness - Austin Channing Brown
*21. A genre hybrid.....
Underground Airlines - Ben H. Winters
*22. A book set mostly or entirely outdoors.....
Hell Is Empty - Craig Johnson
*23. A book with something broken on the cover.....
Something in the Water - Catherine Steadman
*24. A book by a Muslim American/Muslim British author.....
Ms. Marvel, Vol. 1: No Normal - G. Willow Wilson
*25. A book that was published anonymously.....
NFL Confidential: True Confessions from the Gutter of Football - Johnny Anonymous
*26. A book with an oxymoron in the title.....
The Less Dead - Denise Mina
*27. A book about do-overs or fresh starts.....
The Four Winds - Kristin Hannah
*28. A magical realism book.....
The Night Tiger - Yangsze Choo
*29. A book set in multiple countries.....
Conviction - Denise Mina
*30. A book set somewhere you’d like to visit in 2021.....
The Identicals - Elin Hilderbrand
*31. A book by a blogger, vlogger, YouTube video creator, or other online personality.....
The Witches Are Coming - Lindy West
*32. A book whose title starts with “Q,� “X,� or “Z�.....
X - Sue Grafton
*33. A book featuring three generations (grandparent, parent, child)...
Same Beach, Next Year - Dorothea Benton Frank
*34. A book about a social justice issue.....
The Hate U Give - Angie Thomas
*35. A book in a different format than what you normally read (audiobooks, ebooks, graphic novels).....
Kindred: A Graphic Novel Adaptation - Octavia E. Butler
*36. A book that has fewer than 1,000 reviews on Amazon or Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ.....
Spirit of Steamboat - Craig Johnson (went with reviews not ratings)
*37. A book you think your best friend would like.....
Return to Virgin River- Robyn Carr
*38. A book about art or an artist.....
This Will Only Hurt a Little - Busy Phillips
*39. A book everyone seems to have read but you.....
The Lying Game - Ruth Ware
*40. Your favorite prompt from a past POPSUGAR Reading Challenge (The next book in a series you've started)
Junkyard Dogs - Craig Johnson

ADVANCED
*41. The longest book (by pages) on your TBR list.....
The Goldfinch - Donna Tartt
*42. The shortest book (by pages) on your TBR list.....
Divorce Horse - Craig Johnson (25pgs)
*43. The book on your TBR list with the prettiest cover.....
Party of Two - Jasmine Guillory
*44. The book on your TBR list with the ugliest cover.....
Still Lives - Maria Hummel
*45. The book that’s been on your TBR list for the longest amount of time.....
Their Eyes Were Watching God - Zora Neale Hurston
*46. A book from your TBR list you meant to read last year but didn’t.....
In a Holidaze - Christina Lauren
*47. A book from your TBR list you associate with a favorite person, place, or thing.....
Shit, Actually: The Definitive, 100% Objective Guide to Modern Cinema - Lindy West
*48. A book from your TBR list chosen at random.....
In Pieces - Sally Field
*49. A DNF book from your TBR list.....
Dear Girls: Intimate Tales, Untold Secrets, & Advice for Living Your Best Life - Ali Wong
*50. A free book from your TBR list (gifted, borrowed, library).....
More Myself: A Journey - Alicia Keys (audiobook from the Library)

Around the Year in 52 Books Challenge 2021:

This one is broken down into a book a week. But I tend to skip around and fit books in as I read them.

*Finished Reading: 52/52 topics

*1. A book related to “In the Beginning...� (This can be the first in a series, a nonfiction about the start of something new, or an author's debut novel)
The Kiss Quotient � Helen Hoang (debut novel)

*2. A book by an author whose name doesn't contain the letters A, T or Y
The Cleaners � Ken Liu (short story)
Who Do You Love � Jennifer Weiner

*3. A book related to the lyrics for the song "My Favorite Things" from The Sound of Music*
As The Crow Flies � Craig Johnson

*4. A book with a monochromatic cover
This Will Only Hurt a Little � Busy Phillips

*5. A book by an author on USA Today's list of 100 Black Novelists You Should Read
The Proposal � Jasmine Guillory

*6. A love story
The Bride Test � Helen Hoang

*7. A book that fits a prompt suggestion that didn't make the final list
(A retelling of a ‘classic� by a BIPOC author)
Hazel and Gray � Nic Stone (Short story) [a retelling of Hansel and Gretel]
(A book with a fat-positive perspective)
Shrill: Notes from a Loud Woman � Lindy West

*8. A book set in a state, province, or country you have never visited
A Serpent's Tooth � Craig Johnson (Wyoming)

*9. A book you associate with a specific season or time of year
Same Beach, Next Year � D.B. Frank (Summer)

*10. A book with a female villain or criminal
Conviction � Denise Mina

*11. A book to celebrate The Grand Egyptian Museum
Still Lives � Maria Hummel (set in a museum)

*12. A book eligible for the Warwick Prize for Women in Translation
Your Second Life Begins When You Realize You Only Have One - Raphaelle Giordano
(Technically not a Warwick book but it is a book that was translated...went with the KIS option)

*13. A book written by an author of one of your best reads of 2020
Return to Virgin River - Robyn Carr

*14. A book set in a made-up place
Spirit of Steamboat - Craig Johnson

*15. A book that features siblings as the main characters
The Vanishing Half � Brit Bennett

*16. A book with a building in the title
The Topeka School � Ben Lerner

*17. A book with a Muslim character or author
Ms. Marvel, Vol. 1: No Normal - G. Willow Wilson

*18. 3 books related to "Past, Present, Future" - Book 1
The Sound and the Fury - William Faulkner

*19. 3 books related to "Past, Present, Future" - Book 2
Arsenic and Adobo � Mia P. Manansala (pub. 2021)

*20. 3 books related to "Past, Present, Future" - Book 3
How to Avoid a Climate Disaster: The Solutions We Have and the Breakthroughs We Need - Bill Gates

*21. A book whose title and author both contain the letter "u"
The Day You Begin - Jacqueline Woodson

*22. A book posted in one of the ATY Best Book of the Month threads
Little Fires Everywhere - Celeste Ng

*23. A cross genre novel
The Marrow Thieves - Cherie Dimaline

*24. A book about racism or race relations
I'm Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness � Austin Channing Brown

*25. A book set on an island
The Identicals � Elin Hilderbrand

*26. A short book (<210 pages) by a new-to-you author
The Argonauts - Maggie Nelson

*27. A book with a character who can be found in a deck of cards
The Lager Queen of Minnesota - J. Ryan Stradal

*28. A book connected to ice
Hell Is Empty � Craig Johnson

*29. A book that you consider comfort reading
The Wedding Date � Jasmine Guillory

*30. A long book
The Goldfinch � Donna Tartt

*31. A book by an author whose career spanned more than 21 years
Wyoming Tough - Diana Palmer

*32. A book whose cover shows more than 2 people
Hidden Valley Road: Inside the Mind of an American Family - Robert Kolker

*33. A collection of short stories, essays, or poetry
Wait for Signs: Twelve Longmire Stories � Craig Johnson

*34. A book with a travel theme
Something in the Water - Catherine Steadman

*35. A book set in a country on or below the Tropic of Cancer
Fruit of the Drunken Tree - Ingrid Rojas Contreras

*36. A book with six or more words in the title
Fair Play: A Game-Changing Solution for When You Have Too Much to Do � Eve Rodsky

*37. A book from the Are You Well Read in World Literature list
Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows � Balli Kaur Jaswal

*38. A book related to a word given by a random word generator [Team]
Daughter of the Morning Star - Craig Johnson

*39. A book involving an immigrant
I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter - Erika L. Sanchez

*40. A book with flowers or greenery on the cover
American Dirt � Jeanine Cummins

*41. A book by a new-to-you BIPOC author
Winter Counts � David Heska Wanbli Weiden (Reading)

*42. A mystery or thriller
Any Other Name � Craig Johnson

*43. A book with elements of magic
The Night Tiger � Yangsze Choo

*44. A book whose title contains a negative
The Hate U Give � Angie Thomas

*45. A book related to a codeword from the NATO Phonetic Alphabet
The Western Star � Craig Johnson (takes place in November)

*46. A winner or nominee from the 2020 Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ Choice Awards
Open Book � Jessica Simpson

*47. A non-fiction book other than biography, autobiography, or memoir
The Library Book � Susan Orlean

*48. A book that might cause someone to react “You read what?!?�
The Witches Are Coming - Lindy West

*49. A book with an ensemble cast
The Perfect Couple � Elin Hilderbrand

*50. A book published in 2021
The Four Winds � Kristin Hannah

*51. A book whose title refers to person(s) without giving their name
The Chicken Sisters - KJ Dell'Antonia

*52. A book related to "the end"
The Last House Guest � Megan Miranda

A to Z Reading Challenge - Book Titles

A: American Dirt
B: The Bride Test
C: Conviction
D: Dear Girls: Intimate Tales, Untold Secrets, & Advice for Living Your Best Life
E: Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows
F: The Four Winds
G: The Goldfinch
H: Hell Is Empty
I: The Identicals
J: Junkyard Dogs
K: The Kiss Quotient
L: The Lying Game
M: More Myself: A Journey
N: The Night Tiger
O: Open Book
P: The Proposal
Q: Queen Bee (finished 1/15/2022)
R: Return to Virgin River
S: Still Lives
T: This Will Only Hurt a Little
U: Underground Airlines
V: The Vanishing Half
W: Wait for Signs: Twelve Longmire Stories
X: X
Y: Your Second Life Begins When You Realize You Only Have One
Z: Zone One

All Finished Books of 2021:

Reading Challenge goal of 100 books.

June 27: So Far I've read 69!
July 17: 72! It's been a slow week. :(
Aug. 28: 82! Had to force myself this week.
Sept. 13: 84! Two books in two weeks w/ a 10 day gap btwn em! Really losing momentum lately.
Dec. 10: 100! I did it!
Dec. 31: 102!!


1. A Promised Land - Barack Obama
2. A Serpent’s Tooth � Craig Johnson
3. American Dirt � Jeanine Cummins
4. An American Marriage � Tayari Jones
5. An Obvious Fact - Craig Johnson
6. Any Other Name � Craig Johnson
7. Arsenic and Adobo � Mia P. Manansala
8. As the Crow Flies � Craig Johnson
9. Beloved - Toni Morrison (DNF)
10. Children of Blood and Bone - Tomi Adeyemi (DNF)
11. Christmas in Absaroka County � Craig Johnson
12. Concrete Rose - Angie Thomas
13. Conviction � Denise Mina
14. Cut Flower Garden - Erin Benzakein
15. Daughter of the Morning Star - Craig Johnson
16. Dear Girls � Ali Wong
17. Dear Martin - Nic Stone
18. Depth of Winter � Craig Johnson
19. Divorce Horse � Craig Johnson
20. Dry Bones � Craig Johnson
21. Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows � Balli Kaur Jaswal
22. Fair Play� Eve Rodsky
23. Fruit of the Drunken Tree - Ingrid Rojas Contreras
24. Greenlights - Matthew McConaughey
25. Hazel and Gray - Nic Stone
26. Hell is Empty - Craig Johnson
27. Hidden Valley Road - Robert Kolker
28. How to Avoid a Climate Disaster � Bill Gates
29. I am not your Perfect Mexican Daughter - Erika L. Sanchez
30. I’m Still Here � Austin Channing Brown
31. In a Holidaze � Christina Lauren
32. In Pieces � Sally Field
33. In the Heart of the Fire � Dean Koontz
34. Junkyard Dogs � Craig Johnson
35. Kindred: A graphic novel � Octavia E. Butler
36. Land of Wolves � Craig Johnson
37. Little Fires Everywhere - Celeste Ng
38. Memories of Tomorrow � Dean Koontz
39. Messenger � Craig Johnson
40. More Myself: A Journey � Alicia Keys
41. Ms. Marvel, Vol. 1: No Normal - G. Willow Wilson
42. Murder in Morningside Heights � Victoria Thompson
43. Next to Last Stand � Craig Johnson
44. On the Come up - Angie Thomas
45. One by One - Ruth Ware
46. Open Book � Jessica Simpson
47. Party of Two - Jasmine Guillory
48. Photographing the Dead � Dean Koontz
49. Practical Magic - Alice Hoffman
50. Red Rain � Dean Koontz
51. Return to Virgin River - Robyn Carr
52. Same Beach, Next Year � D.B. Frank
53. Shit Actually � Lindy West
54. Shrill � Lindy West
55. Something in the Water � Catherine Steadman
56. Spirit of Steamboat � Craig Johnson
57. Still Lives � Maria Hummel
58. The Argonauts - Maggie Nelson
59. The Bride Test � Helen Hoang
60. The Cactus � Sarah Haywood
61. The Chicken Sisters - KJ Dell'Antonia
62. The Christmas Box - Richard Paul Evans
63. The Cleaners � Ken Liu
64. The Day You Begin � Jacqueline Woodson
65. The Four Winds � Kristin Hannah
66. The Goldfinch � Donna Tartt
67. The Hate U Give � Angie Thomas
68. The Heart Principle - Helen Hoang
69. The Highwayman � Craig Johnson
70. The Identicals � Elin Hilderbrand
71. The Invisible Life of Addie Larue � V.E. Schwab (DNF)
72. The Kiss Quotient � Helen Hoang
73. The Lager Queen of Minnesota - J. Ryan Stradal
74. The Last House Guest � Megan Miranda
75. The Last Story of Mina Lee - Nancy Jooyoun Kim
76. The Less Dead - Denise Mina
77. The Library Book � Susan Orlean
78. The Lying Game � Ruth Ware
79. The Marrow Thieves - Cherie Dimaline
80. The Mercy of Snakes � Dean Koontz
81. The Night Tiger � Yangsze Choo
82. The Once and Future Witches - Alix E. Harrow
83. The Perfect Couple � Elin Hilderbrand
84. The Praying Mantis Bride � Dean Koontz
85. The Prince and the Troll � Rainbow Rowell
86. The Princess Game � Soman Chainani
87. The Prophets - Robert Jones Jr. (DNF)
88. The Proposal � Jasmine Guillory
89. The Sound and the Fury - William Faulkner
90. The Story of Ferdinand � Munro Leaf
91. The Vanishing Half � Brit Bennett
92. The Wedding Date � Jasmine Guillory
93. The Western Star � Craig Johnson
94. The Wickeds � Gayle Forman
95. The Witches are Coming - Lindy West
96. Their Eyes Were Watching God - Zora Neale Hurston
97. Thick: and Other Essays - Tressie McMillan Cottom (DNF)
98. This Will Only Hurt a Little � Busy Phillips
99. Underground Airlines - Ben H. Winters
100. Wait for Signs � Craig Johnson
101. Who do you Love � Jennifer Weiner
102. Wiggly the Worm - Arnie Lightning
103. Winter Counts � David Heska Wanbli Weiden
104. Wyoming Tough - Diana Palmer
105. X - Sue Grafton
106. Your second life begins when you realize you only have one - Raphaelle Giordano
107. Zone One � Colson Whitehead

**The computer sorted it this way and I didn't feel like fixing it.**

Books I did manage to read from my bookclubs:

Our Shared Shelf (from Jan 2016-Dec 2020): 2
Hello Sunshine (Reese Witherspoon): 15
Oprah's Book Club: 4