Books I’ve Read So Far in 2021

I began this post at the beginning of the year so that I could post it at the end of the year; however, I decided that I just can’t wait that long. I enjoy learning what other people are reading, and I thought you might too, especially during the summer months when things move at a slower pace. I love swinging in a hammock, reading a book, and listening to the birds chatter in the trees.

The following is a complete list of books I’ve read so far this year. I added in a few interesting notes about some of the books. As you will see, my reading list has been a little heavy on the fantasy/adventure books thus far. During the school year I like to read fiction, since I’m typically reading textbooks along with my students for my classes. I also noticed that I take longer to read non-fiction books–I don’t devour them like I do fictional stories. Overall, that’s a good thing. It gives me more time to ‘digest’ what I’m reading and to find ways to apply it to my life.

I included a very short review for each book. ‘Great’ means I really enjoyed the book and would read it again. ‘Okay’ means I liked the book, but it wasn’t one of my favorites. ‘Nope’ means the book had some value, but it’s unlikely I’ll read it again.

The Book List

The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self by Carl Trueman (continued from November 2020)—great.
Live Not by Lies by Rod Dreher (continued from December 2020)–great.
Worthy by Elyse Fitzpatrick and Andrew Schumacher (continued from December 2020)–okay.
The Abolition of Man by C.S. Lewis (continued from last year sometime)–great.

January
The Peasant’s Dream by Melanie Dickerson (nope)
The Door Before by N.D. Wilson (great)
100 Cupboards by N.D. Wilson (great)
Dandelion Fire by N.D. Wilson (great)
The Chestnut King by N.D. Wilson (great–my second time reading through the 100 Cupboards series)

February
The Wisdom Pyramid by Brett McCracken (okay–I’m still not done reading it)
Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis (great)
The Seven Laws of Teaching by John Milton Gregory (great–I read this as part of my teacher development)

March
The Bark of the Bog Owl by Jonathan Rogers (twice! once to myself, once out loud to Samuel)–great.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (great)

April
On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness by Andrew Peterson (great)
North! Or Be Eaten by Andrew Peterson (great)

May
Monster in the Hollows by Andrew Peterson (great)
The Warden and the Wolf King by Andrew Peterson (great–my second time reading through the Wingfeather Saga)
The Secret of the Swamp King by Jonathan Rogers (great)
Recovering from Biblical Manhood and Womanhood by Aimee Byrd (nope–I agree with her overall message, but I think the book could have been written better)

June
None Like Him by Jen Wilkin (great–reading as part of a women’s summer Bible study at church)
Right Ho, Jeeves! by P.G. Wodehouse (okay–incredibly funny, but sometimes the humor is too much)
The Way of the Wilderking by Jonathan Rogers (great)

July
Frontier Ways: Sketches of Life in the Old West by Edward Everett Dale (great–the old West is fascinating)
As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride by Cary Elwes (okay so far)
How to Train Your Dragon: How to Be a Pirate by Cressida Cowell (great)

What are you currently reading? Have we read any of the same books so far this year? Let me know in the comments. Happy reading!