I did it! It was down to the wire, but I finished my 2021 reading challenge with a day to spare. I once again achieved greatness in both categories:

  1. Number of books read
  2. Topical list

I set my goal at 75 books for the year and finished at 85 (thanks in part to Libby and my access to audio books). For me, that part of the challenge is easy—I have at least 50 books in my house that I haven’t read yet, so all I have to do is open one and go. The topical list, however, gets to be more challenging.

For example, a best-seller from the 1990s. I found a list of best-sellers, but I’ve already seen the movie adaptation of most of them! I wanted something new, so I had to dig around. But I love this list because I find gems all the time! Like A.C. Williams series, author Sajni Patel, or the classic Heidi, which I can’t wait to read to my nephew.

Overall, 2021 was a good reading year. I linked to the reviews of some of my favorites (in case you’re interested).

I’d love to know what some of your favorite books of 2021 were! (I might have to read one for my 2022 reading challenge 😊).

Book published in 2021: Flipping Fates by A.C. Williams
Heart, diamond, club, or spade on the cover: The Dating Charade by Melissa Ferguson
Gem, mineral, or rock in the title: Five Gold Rings by Amanda Tru
Best seller from the 1990s: Wicked by Gregory Maguire
A book set mostly outdoors: Yellowstone Yondering by Kristen Joy Wilks
A magical realism book: In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren
Set somewhere you’ve visited: Miracle of 5th Avenue by Sarah Morgan
Set somewhere you’d LIKE to visit: Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes
Book by a celebrity: Brave Surrender by Kim Walker-Smith
Book from someone else’s TBR pile: The Memory House by Rachel Hauck
Book featuring a restaurant: Love at On Deck Café by Leah Dobrinska
With a black and white cover: Coffin Corner Boys by Carole Engle Avriett
With fewer than 1,000 reviews on Amazon: Fall Flip by Denise Weimer
About art or an artist: The Last Painting of Sara de Vos by Dominic Smith
A debut novel of an already-famous author: The Bright Side of Disaster by Katherine Center
A dual timeline: Forces of Nature by Jane Harper
A character with the same name as a family member: Heavenly Light’s: Noah’s Journey by Barbara Britton
Title starts with first letter of your first name: Kiss Me Like You Mean It by Dr. David Clarke
A book mentioned in another book: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
A book with dragons: Dealing with Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede
By an author of a different race: The Trouble with Hating You by Sajni Patel
Featuring a character with a disability: How to Walk Away      by Katherine Center
Title with five words: I’ll Be Home for Christmas by Elizabeth Ludwig
A cover you don’t like: (I don’t want to embarrass anyone, so I’ll keep this to myself.)
An award-winning book: In Sheep’s Clothing by Pegg Thomas
Memoir: Breaking Cover by Michele Rigby Assad
Recommended by a librarian: The Recipe Box by Viola Shipman
An indie published book: Saving Sparrows by A.C. Williams
An author who uses initials: That Incredible Christian by A.W. Tozer
Published in the 1800s: Heidi by Johanna Spyri