How many books did you read and did you meet or beat your own personal goal?
I read 93 books this year. I beat 90 which is the goal I ended up with, but I still haven’t gotten up to the number of books I read prior to adopting all the little ones. I was surprised that I read almost 30,000 pages. That’s way more than I expected I would.
What story stayed with you a long time, left you wanting more or needing time to digest?
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas. Stuff like that hits a little closer to home now that I have my littles. It was frustrating, but so real. I resisted reading it for so long because of the U in the title, but I understand it now and I’m so glad I finally gave in and read it.
What are some quotes that made you read them a second time?
He always has it on the Friday of spring break because you need Saturday to recover and Sunday to repent. (The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas)
“That depends on whether or not you are alive.”
“I feel alive,” Tris retorted.
“Then yes.” (Warden’s Vengeance by Tony James Slater)
Compared to Kasey’s, Sal’s, Tarkington’s, Wong’s, and now Laney’s, George’s life was a walk in the park, since he was still alive. (Cell by Robin Cook)
“You don’t look very edible. Sorry. I don’t mean to be rude.” (Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi)
“Do whales have uvulas?”
“How am I supposed to know if it’s a girl whale?” (Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi)
But of course he cared very much; and he was so full of wrath against grown–ups, who, as usual, were spoiling everything, that as soon as he got inside his tree he breathed intentionally quick short breaths at the rate of about five to a second. He did this because there is a saying in the Neverland that, every time you breathe, a grown–up dies; and Peter was killing them off vindictively as fast as possible. (Peter Pan by JM Barrie)
Dictatorships may seem strong and unified, but they are always weaker than they appear. They are governed by the whim of one man, who can’t draw upon a wealth of discussion and debate, as democracies can, because he rules through terror and the only truth permitted is his own. (The Girl With Seven Names by Hyeonseo Lee)
I imagined this is what cadavers must feel like—you know, if they weren’t dead, and still had the ability to feel. (Full Circle by Andrea Barber)
“I’m an Internet comedian, and I’m not even sure if that’s a real job, but it means I can have hair like this!” (Rhett and Link’s Book of Mythicality)
It may seem unnecessary for two fully grown men to immerse themselves in cereal. That’s because it is. (Rhett and Link’s Book of Mythicality)
I cannot leave my children orphans, if I ever have any. (Some Kind of Courage by Dan Gemeinhart)
Like most of my fellow countrymen, I preferred not to learn too much about dysfunctional countries until after my government invaded them. (American Shaolin by Matthew Polly)
Horatio raised an eyebrow at him. “If I still had my tongues,” he said, “I’d slap you with all of them.” (The Desolations of Devil’s Acre by Ransom Riggs)
Why the devil would one need to pitchfork victuals into his mouth if he has hands?” (When the Moon Has No More Silver by Connie Lapallo)
A fleeting thought crossed my mind that it would be highly unfair if the most attractive man I had ever seen turned out to be my brother—until I reminded myself that I had sworn off men. (The Tuscan Child by Rhys Bowen)
He touches my cheek and, even though we’re in a room full of people, crowded by laughter and conversation, slowly kisses me.
“Whoa there, Tobias,” says the man to my left. “Weren’t you raised a Stiff? I thought the most you people did was . . . graze hands or something.”
“Then how do you explain all the Abnegation children?” Tobias raises his eyebrows.
“They’re brought into being by sheer force of will,” the woman on the arm of the chair interjects. “Didn’t you know that, Tobias?”
“No, I wasn’t aware.” He grins. “My apologies.” (Insurgent by Veronica Roth)
By the time we leave, I have red lips and curled eyelashes, and I’m wearing a bright red dress. And there’s a knife strapped to the inside of my knee. This all makes perfect sense. (Insurgent by Veronica Roth)
“The poor fellow has nothing to say: he’s dead, alas!” (Frederica by Georgette Heyer)
Iran has dealt with its fair share of strife and political unrest. And while I’m not one to point fingers or lay blame… the United States and Britain were totally at fault. (Americanized by Sara Saedi)
My sister and I tried to find common ground with our half-American cousins, but that took a while to pan out. It didn’t help that we’d infiltrated their space AND that my sister’s favorite pastime was sending me off to bite them. I guess the rumors are true. Illegal immigrants are violent and dangerous. (Americanized by Sara Saedi)
I was also the student body president of our elementary school. Yeah, I was an undocumented immigrant who’d been elected to public office. How you like me now, ICE? (Americanized by Sara Saedi)
My dad even tried to impress him by telling him that my parents had seen Ozzy Osbourne in concert.
“Really?” Slash asked.
“Yeah,” my dad answered. “He was onstage with all his brothers and sisters.”
“Those were the OSMONDS!” my mom corrected. (Americanized by Sara Saedi)
Top 5 Books of the Year
A Solitude of Wolverines by Alice Henderson
The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Abduction by Gillian Jackson
Awaken by Maggie Sunseri
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins
Bottom 5 Books of the Year
Foster and Adoptive Parenting by Kenneth A. Camp
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Girl’s Guide to Witchcraft by Mindy Klasky
Some Kind of Courage by Dan Gemeinhart
Raising Multiracial Children by Farzana Nayani
How many books are in your To Read pile right now?
911 (That’s 108 more than at the end of 2020, 152 more than 2019, 250 more than 2018, and 381 more than at the end of 2017 when I started keeping track… I really need to do better at this reading/collecting thing considering I added a total of 201 books this year between number read and additional to be read)
Mama Reader 