Happy New Year, y’all! I spent the last two weeks relaxing and trying to read as much as possible. I always love getting in this stress-free reading time at the end of the year and would love to carve out more of these respites throughout the year. But, that’s hard. S0, I’ve got 2 weeks worth of books for you today…a mix of 2021 releases, backlist, and 2020 releases I’d missed.

Podcast

See you in 2021 (2021 Winter Book Preview with Catherine from @gilmoreguide coming on January 6)!

On the Blog

• Best Books of 2020
• The 2021 Rock Your Reading Tracker launched…and patrons get a bonus podcast episode talking about how to get the most out of your reading tracker (plus, a 25% discount on the tracker)!
• Get bonus podcast episodes…Get bonus podcast episodes and other goodies when you support the podcast on Patreon!

Hosted by The Book Date.
This post contains affiliate links (plus: here’s your Amazon Smile-specific affiliate link), through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!).

I finished reading…

The Fortunate Ones by Ed Tarkington (January 5, 2021)
Excellent sophomore novel! Reminded me of Gossip Girl set in Tennessee. You’ll hear more about it on the Winter 2021 Book Preview podcast (coming on Wednesday).
Affiliate Link: Buy from Amazon

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston (May 14, 2019)
I adored this LGBTQ romance involving the “First Son” of the U.S. and the “spare” to the throne of England. Delightful, steamy, and easy to fly through. More to come on a bonus podcast episode for patrons (become a patron here).
Affiliate Link: Buy from Amazon

From Scratch by Tembi Locke (April 30, 2019) – AUDIOBOOK
First, I didn’t realize until the end of this book that Tembi is Attica Locke’s sister! Second, this memoir celebrates a loving marriage, examines real issues Tembi and her husband dealt with, talks about her grief over her husband’s death from cancer, and celebrates food. A solid 4 star listen! More to come.
Affiliate Link: Buy from Amazon

The Office of Historical Corrections by Danielle Evans (November 10, 2020)
This was my first short story collection of 2020…and my last book of 2020. And I was so pleasantly surprised! These stories are both subtle and not subtle and still have me thinking. More to come.
Affiliate Link: Buy from Amazon

I’m currently reading…

The Secret Lives of Church Ladies by Deesha Philyaw (September 1, 2020)
I’m almost halfway through my second short story collection in 2 weeks (quite a feat after not having read short stories for a long while). Philyaw’s writing is excellent this collection is reminding me of The Office of Historical Corrections.
Affiliate Link: Buy from Amazon

I tried, but wasn’t feeling…

The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro (May, 1989)
I was trying to read Ishiguro’s modern classic before his new novel (Klara and the Sun) comes out in March, but I think the timing was off. The writing style took some getting used to and I had trouble settling in. I was also attempting to read this right before Christmas, which probably didn’t help.
Affiliate Link: Buy from Amazon

Before the Ruins by Victoria Gosling (January 12, 2021)
I loved the sound of the premise of this book about something that happened to four friends at a creepy manor house, but I couldn’t get into the writing style. It was really British with lots of words and phrases that threw me off.
Affiliate Link: Buy from Amazon

Upcoming reading plans…

Unless a library hold comes in…

Black Buck by Mateo Askaripour (January 5, 2021)
I’ve been hearing rave reviews from people I trust (TBR, etc, Liz Hein, and Simply Troy) about this satire about a black salesman at a “cult-like” start-up. 
Affiliate Link: Buy from Amazon

How was your reading week?

Pin this post…