My reading goals vary from year to year. Sometimes, they are specific numbers; other times, they are to read certain genres or authors. I rarely get super fastidious for two reasons. First, I am a single mother with two jobs, and I know that will impact the time I have to read. Second, I am a voracious reader with multiple books going simultaneously. I have no problem with desire or motivation and have a miles-long TBR.
This past year, I read books by new authors and writers long dead. There were books I had never heard of and books I did not finish because of library deadlines or a lack of interest. How do I read so much? I am a naturally fast reader; I read multiple books at once and pretty much always have access to a book. I use Kindle Unlimited and my library for ebooks, my Spotify and Libby app for audiobooks, and I keep hard copies of books by my chair in the living room, my bedroom, and often in my purse.
I read books while waiting in checkout lines, doing the dishes, aloud to the kids, silently while the kids were watching movies, and on and on.
In 2025, I am planning a Big Read Project. I intend to read as many books by Louisa May Alcott as possible. While I have loved Little Women and many of her other books for decades, this past year I was introduced to her thrillers for the first time. In January, I will share more about this, so stay tuned.
Now onto some highlights from this years’s reading.
Nonfiction
The Sexual Reformation Restoring the Dignity and Personhood of Man and Woman by Aimee Byrd
As someone raised in the purity culture of the 1990s and early 2000s, this was a fascinating look at the most erotic book of the Bible, Song of Songs. I remember the first time I (sneakily) read it, and I was deeply confused by the poetic metaphors. Honestly, some of them are still wild until you understand the world in which it was written.
Rift: A Memoir of Breaking Away from Christian Patriarchy by Cait West
A memoir from purity culture, with an emphasis on spiritual abuse.
Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI by David Grann
Soon I hope to watch the movie with Lily Gladstone (who is from my home state of Montana) based on this book. The story was sad, overwhelming, and fascinating. The dehumanization of Indigenous people is a systemic issue that I hope to improve within my lifetime.
The Cost of Free Land: Jews, Lakota, and an American Inheritance by Rebecca Claren
Similarly to The Killers of the Flower Moon, this book is crucial to understanding how Indigenous people were impacted by Western Expansion.
All We Can Save Truth, Courage, and Solutions for the Climate Crisis
This collection of essays and poems was a beautiful look at how we can continue to care for the land and the people who live on it.
Fiction
Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer - The first book in a series where you realize that villains also need help organizing their lives. I have the second book on hold.
Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi - Time travel with limits.
My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, Jodi Meadows - The “what if Lady Jane Grey had lived” story you didn’t know you needed.
The Book of Gothel by Mary McMyne - Sometimes you choose to be a villain in society in order to change the lives that need help.
A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes - While the men who fought in the Trojan War get all the glory, the women do all the suffering. These are their voices.
Lula Dean's Little Library of Banned Books: A Southern Town's Battle over Banned Books by Kirsten Miller - Why do people ban books? Because they are scared of the power of words to change minds.
The Answer is No by Fredrik Backman (Author), Elizabeth DeNoma (Translator) - This short story is both humorous and poignant.
Behind a Mask The Unknown Thrillers of Louisa May Alcott - starting my project for next year.
The Color Purple by Alice Walker - again, I intend to watch the movie. Loved the story, and will try to read the rest of Alice Walkers bo’s books.
Over past year I have been crocheting a super simple blanket with colors from the book covers. I bought a ton of yarn from the thrift store, and just matched things as best as possible. It is coming along quite nicely and provides a conversation starter with my kids.
There is an element of organized chaos to it, which matches my life in many ways.
May this week bring peace to your senses and your soul.
I love your blanket! I’m an avid crocheter and I love how the different yarn colors and textures really dresses up the simple stitches!
I loved Killers of the Flower Moon!