2021 in books

Friday, December 17, 2021 Permalink

I’ve avoided doing a ‘favourite books of the year’ post over the last few years because I’ve noticed increasing numbers of authors commenting on how much they dislike them. I’ve never been an ‘every child wins a prize’ kind of best-of lister and only ever include a few books each year so think I probably offend fewer authors than I would if I had lengthy lists.

Instead I thought I’d finally link up with some blogging buddies who do a bookish post each month and talk about the year in books. Well, more specifically MY year in books.

I don’t set targets to read, other than a few years ago when I realised I’d read over 150 books and became conscious that I churned through them without taking the time needed to really ‘sit’ with them after. Of course reviewing means I need to get my thoughts in order, but even now (I’ve read about 114 this year so far), someone might comment on a book I’ve recently read and the plots blend together in my mind.

A great year for Aussie Fiction

I know I said I wouldn’t but with no fanfare and minimal analysis I’d have to say the books I liked most (or at least impacted on me / stayed with me) are Jacqueline Bublitz’s Before You Knew My Name, The Hush by Sara Foster, The Others by Mark Brandi and The Other Side of Beautiful by Kim Lock.

That’s if you tied me down and forced me to choose my most memorable new releases of the year… 🙄

Blogging, Bookstagram and BookTok

Book blogging still seems to be on the decline. Every man and their dogs started podcasts in the last few years (and not just on the bookish front) and it seems they’ve become increasingly popular.

Similarly bookstagram has continued to grow. I suspect bookstagrammers are more alluring to publishers now than bloggers. Whether that because our attention span is shorter/we’re too busy to read lengthy reviews or our attention to drawn to the imagery of Instagram I’m not sure.

But of course the trend – perhaps already peaking or continuing to grow – is the move to TikTok. Or rather, BookTok; with its offerings potentially even shorter and sweeter than bookstagram.

The future of books

As for books themselves and the delightful art of reading… who knows where the future will lie. I know many thought print books would die out when electronic books became a thing but it seems most still prefer the hard copy in their hand. Others like their books backlit. While some don’t mind. Of course audiobooks seem to be growing in popularity, ideal I guess for those who – unlike me – can multitask and listen while doing other stuff.

2021 in books

Source: https://www.visualcapitalist.com/print-books-versus-e-books/

what I'm reading

Let’s talk books. Have you had any memorable reads this year? Do you prefer the printed copy or are you partial to an audiobook?

Linking up with the gang who host What’s on Your Bookshelf?

17 Comments
  • Sue from Women Living Well After 50
    December 17, 2021

    HI Deb! So pleased you have joined us for our What’s On Your Bookshelf? Link Party. This year I certainly over committed myself with the Goodreads Book Challenge and will definitely be cutting back and really absorbing all the books I read next year rather than ‘churning them out’. We’ve had a very difficult year personally and I don’t know where I would be if I didn’t have my books to escape to. Thanks again for joining us and wishing you all the best for the Festive Season and 2022. x

    • Debbish
      December 17, 2021

      My reading this year has progressed in fits and starts. I’ve had entire weeks when I’ve not read – which is weird for me – and then I’ll read a book a night for several days. I’d read more if I didn’t have to write reviews. Recently actually I’ve been reading some books I’ve bought (secondhand – am not allowed to buy books other than special circumstances) or borrowed and it’s nice NOT to have to analyse them and remember details. I’ve still found myself writing something short on Goodreads but nice not to have to.

  • Jo
    December 17, 2021

    So glad you linked up! I like both physical & ebooks for different reasons. I also read audiobooks but mainly non fiction or classics. I find it difficult to read contemporary fiction on audible. I really need to look at Tiki’s Tok as a marketing thing I suppose. Heavy sighs.

    • Debbish
      December 17, 2021

      I read an article a while ago about the fact that BookTok was responsible for a resurgence in certain books because they were being discussed on TikTok. (Something by Colleen Hoover I recall, and the book re-entered bestseller lists years after its release.)

      I don’t read non-fiction at all but I think – if the person / topic really interested me – I’d listen to an audiobook. Particularly if recorded by the author.

  • Retirement Reflections
    December 17, 2021

    Okay, you settled it. I actually do live under a rock. Am I the only person who had never (prior to reading this post) heard of Bookstagram or Book Tok? Seriously, how did I miss these?!
    I am off to check them out now.
    But first, thank you for joining us at WOYBS. I greatly enjoyed reading this contribution.

    • Debbish
      December 17, 2021

      Bookstagram is just a tag people use to share pictures and / or reviews of books on Instagram. It started with mostly young adult readers sharing pretty pics of books but has grown to short reviews.

      I’m not on TikTok and am actively avoiding it as I don’t even watch FB / Instagram Live things but I gather it’s huge….

  • Janet Mary Cobb
    December 17, 2021

    I must be under the same rock!

    • Debbish
      December 17, 2021

      I think people just started using the #bookstagram (hashtag) and then it kind-of became a thing….

  • Debbie
    December 17, 2021

    Thanks for joining in with our linkup Deb. I put a lot of weight on your book reviews and what you’ve read/enjoyed so have taken note of the titles you mentioned in your post, as I twisted your arm behind your back 🙂
    I find I make time to read much more now that I don’t have to go to work and am reading a wider range of genres than ever before. I’m not even going to look at TikTok 🙂

    • Debbish
      December 17, 2021

      No, I’m trying to avoid TikTok which I did with Snapchat, though it seems more popular than Snapchat.

      I was surprised these few faves were all Australian fiction and not all crime fiction/thrillers.

  • Thistles and Kiwis
    December 17, 2021

    I also hadn’t heard of ‘bookstagram’. I used to be right on top of this sort of thing. Anyway, great post and I love serials on BBC Radio 4 and 4 Extra, but have only recently got into actual audio books.

    • Debbish
      December 18, 2021

      I’m not an audiobook person and don’t listen to podcasts either…. however several years ago I was in a job that involved a lot of driving in rural areas with no radio stations and so I started listening to audiobooks then. I had to drive 3hrs each way for a 1hr meeting for example so they helped pass the time then, but I don’t spend long enough in the car now and can’t imagine listening to one at home.

  • Jennifer Jones
    December 18, 2021

    Your post is interesting Deb. I still prefer ‘real’ books but have decided not to bring anymore books into the house. I have so many to get rid of but I find it a bit like giving away my children. I’m trying to train myself over to ebooks and get my ‘real’ boj fix from the library.

    • Debbish
      December 18, 2021

      I don’t keep many of the books I get for review Jen. Most get donated unless I’ve really loved them and want (need!) to keep them. I also cull every so often and did so a couple of months ago, donating a heap to the op shop.

  • Theresa Smith Writes
    December 18, 2021

    Printed or ebook for me, I hate audio books. I don’t mind Instagram but I still enjoy reading blog posts the most and there’s no way I’ll go near BookTok.
    All in all, a good reading year, but I’ve decided on no best of list this year, just a reflection on the year of reading instead (yet to be written).

    • Debbish
      December 18, 2021

      Can’t wait to read it Theresa, and your reading is always far more diverse than mine of course.

      I’m with you on BookTok. I don’t get the allure but as I said I don’t tend to watch Facebook / Instagram live or reels. In fact I get annoyed if sound starts on a post or story – I prefer subtitles if someone’s got something to say.

I'd love to hear your thoughts