25+ Books Read in 2021 (So Far)
The most common question I get about my yearly reading goal is how I “find the time.” And the short answer is I don’t. I make the time to read. I take a book with me almost everywhere I go, including the bathroom. I read at least a few pages before I fall asleep. It’s important to me to build reading into my day, so I do. Easy as that.
I strongly believe that life is all about priorities, so if you want to read more, you prioritize it. I don’t have much patience for excuses, but I also understand that not everyone wants to read at the same rate that I do. The biggest reason I started this goal (and I think I’m in year five?) is that I found—and continue to find—myself pulled in so many different directions by so many different types of media. If I didn’t make a measurable goal for myself with reading, I wouldn’t read hardly anything. As far as goals go, it’s my favorite one for myself.
I’m turning 35 in just a few weeks and I’ve been hovering around 30+ books for a few years, so I decided to set of goal of 35 books this year. I’m more than halfway there and I thought it would be a good time to share what I’ve read so far.
My stacks are still high and I’ve been loving what I’ve picked up this year—if I don’t love something, I abandon it quickly. I also like having too many because I choose what grabs me and just go with it without overthinking. This new strategy has served me well.
Herewith, the books I’ve read so far in 2021:
Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Emily Nagoski and Amelia Nagoski (all about the science behind how and why women burn out faster than men and what we can do about it)
Building a Story Brand by Donald Miller (I re-wrote my website after reading this and it got me a lot clearer on what I wanted to offer and how I wanted to talk about that)
Mediocre by Ijeoma Oluo (Patriarchy as explained by a local author who also wrote So You Want to Talk about Race. Inhaled it. Still working on exhaling)
Citizen, An American Lyric by Claudia Rankine (haunting poetry about race)
Troubles in Paradise by Elin Hilderbrand (the last of a trilogy. Sometimes I just need stories like Elin’s, but I prefer the island vibes ones vs anything that takes place in Nantucket, and most of her books take place in Nantucket)
Momlandia by Jennifer Strube and Samantha Lemos (texts between bffs who had baby girls weeks apart. I read an advance copy. Sooo relatable)
Things That Make White People Uncomfortable by Michael Bennett (history and race and so much more, written by a former Seahawk)
Notes on a Silencing by Lacy Crawford (disturbing story of a sexual assault that was covered up by a New England prep school. Real-life SVU)
Heavy, an American Memoir by Kise Laymon (musings on life as a Black man in America—and just an American in America—written in letter format)
Grown Ups by Emma Jane Unsworth (always have to have a silly British novel on my list)
Breath by James Nestor (completely changed the way I think about breathing and made me more mindful of how I do it)
True Story by Kate Reed Petty (a wild ride of a book that follows a rumor from a party that gets completely out of hand)
The Cult of Trump by Steven Hassan (my attempt to understand not just Trump supporters, but Trump idolizers)
The Code of The Extraordinary Mind by Vishen Lakhiani (changed the way I think about my lie and my business. I wrote down one of his meditations and keep it on my desk)
Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi (the evolution of the families of two sisters in Africa. Just incredible)
The Seat of the Soul by Gary Zukav (Mostly skimmed this one. It felt very stream of consciousness and didn’t quite hold my attention the way Oprah said it would)
God Shot by Chelsea Bieker (my kind of book: culty religion, coming-of-age, kooky characters, sharp writing)
The Secret Lives of Church Ladies by Deesha Philyaw (the judgy ladies always telling you what for? Yeah, they do “bad” things, too)
Think Again by Adam Grant (getting curious about why people have strong opinions and allegiances and how we can all get more curious about our own opinions and allegiances)
31 Days of Power by Richard Taylor Jr. (ways to take hold of your mental health over a span of a month—strategies, journal prompts, etc.)
home body by Rupi Kaur (everything she writes makes me feel so seen)
Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma by Peter A. Levine (how we hold trauma in our bodies and how we can learn to process them fully so we can move forward without constantly re-triggering ourselves)
The Angel Experiment by Corin Grillo (your angels are always with you—this book is proof of that, and the way she writes is really fun)
You are a Badass at Making Money by Jen Sincero (I love everything about Jen and I loved every single page of this book—exactly what I needed to read to get out of my own way with money)
Do Less by Kate Northup (Of all the books on this list, I think about this one the most—the conditioning, the de-conditioning, the strategies, the permission…)
You are a Badass by Jen Sincero (I loved the money one so much I had to get this one, too. Perfect hype book, but also doesn’t let you off the hook with excuses. FAR from anything Rachel Hollis, FYI)
Boys of Alabama by Genevieve Hudson (recommended by the author of God Shot above. All about a large handful of teenage boys living in Alabama. More culty religion, more coming of age, more kook. My vibe)
I am reading books 28 and 29 at the same time right now and loving them both. Will share them on Instagram once I’m done. I also keep a running list of all of my favorite books here. Most of these I have gotten from the library or local book stores.
Aside from writing, reading is my most favorite thing, so if you ever want to talk about books, please please get in my DMs.
