2021 book club review

 

In 2021 I read 55 books.

 

Memoirs by female authors - 2

Memoirs by male authors -2

Non-fiction by female authors - 7

Non-fiction by male authors - 4

Fiction by female authors - 26

Fiction by male authors - 7

 

Audio books -7

5 fiction audiobooks by female authors 

1 fiction audiobook by male author

1 non fiction audiobook by male author

I was very inconsistent with reading this year - some months I read multiple books, then I wouldn't pick up the next book for 3 weeks.  I tried to do more non fiction reading, in part to get some of those self help books that I've had on my shelves for years out of here, and in part for working on better habits, which include reading every day (HA!) and mixing up what I read.  It didn't always go as envisioned.

 

 

Here's how 2021 book club compares to the past few years - 

41 books in 2020

 

51 books in 2019 - 9 audiobooks

48 books in 2018

41 books in 2017

26 books in 2016

 

 

I'm considering starting a new reading journal for 2022 (22!!!! jesus.) for no particular reason other than it can join all my other clutter and my habit journal that I routinely ignore then try to  bring up to date weeks later.  But it could be fun.  Definitely thinking about it.

book club 55 - Horrorstor by Grady Hendrix

 2021-55

 

book club 54 - Troubles in Paradise by Elin Hilderbrand

 2021-54

 

apricot jam chicken

 This was one of the very best things I made last month, and possibly last year - apricot jam chicken.  It's so easy and so delicious, you won't believe it.

The Mister found this somewhere and I was skeptical but oh boy, this is GOOD.

You only need a handful of ingredients and boom - so damn good.

Did I mention this is really good???

I added an extra dollop of jam because I thought the mustard was coming through a bit too strong for my picky eaters.  I also only used the lemon juice and not the zest or slices.  I cut my chicken breasts in half through the middle and baked at 375' for about 45 minutes.

recipe - apricot jam chicken

book club 53 - Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn

 2021-53

 

book club 52 - Calming Your Anxious Mind by Jeffrey Brantley

 2021-52

 

book club 51 - The Familiars by Stacey Halls

 2021-51

 

book club 50 - The Suspect by Fiona Barton

 2021-50

 

book club 49 - Dark Inside by Jeyn Roberts

 2021-49

 

lovely breakfast - brie and spicy honey on a bagel

 

book club 48 - The Nature Fix by Florence Williams

 2021-48

 

book club 47 - What Happens in Paradise by Elin Hilderbrand

 2021-47

 

spotted signs - ok we're still doing this....

 

December 2021

merry merry

 

cacio e pepe

 

Last week I reaaaaaaaaaaaaaally wanted to make my chicken tetrazzini recipe for dinner, but The Mister was kind of meh about it, so why bother going through all that trouble if he's going to be on the side of the kids and not be into what's for dinner?

But I still wanted pasta, and I'd recently changed my Featured Post to the very delicious Pasta with Butter and Myzithra cheese, so I thought I might make that.  But there was no myzithra at the store, so I bought some pecorino instead and made some lovely Cacio e Pepe.

book club 46 - American Gods by Neil Gaiman

 2021-46

 

smothered chicken soup

 

I took the leftover Smothered Chicken and turned it into very delicious smothered chicken and rice soup.

I pulled the chicken into small pieces, dumped everything into a pot, added some chicken broth, water and uncooked rice, simmered for 25-ish minutes and voila!  Good soup.

2 new cookbook on my shelf

 Potential gift ideas for your holiday lists?

I'm probably not quite the fan of Chrissy Teigen as I used to be for no particular reason, but even though I told myself I didn't need to buy her third cookbook, I couldn't resist.  I truly have enjoyed her first two quite a bit and I just couldn't say no to this one.  I have only flipped through it once so far, and that's when I was sick, so nothing grabbed me right away, so it's too early to tell how I feel.  I'll give it another more thorough read through soon, and make a list of things to try.

 

I actually impulse bought this one a few months ago after seeing some rave reviews online about it.  Julia Turshen has written 4 of her own books - I would LOVE to get my hands on Small Victories - and collaborated on other books including Hot Bread Kitchen, which I love, and one of Gwyneth Paltrow's books.  It is a truly excellent book.  I've tried 3 recipes so far and they've been great.  This is a definite keeper.

book club 45 - The Diet Fix by Yoni Freedhoff

 2021-45

 

another value village book haul