I read a lot in 2021, more than I’ve ever read in a single year. To be exact, I read 63 books, shattering my goal of reading 30 books by 210%! I read physical books, ebooks, and, my favorite, audiobooks. Whether it was tales of truth or fiction, I dove into a diverse array of genres, covering 12,151 pages along the way. So, what books did I curl up with in 2021? Keep reading to find out.
On average, I read 192 pages per book. However, some were more than 600 pages, while others were just shy of 25 pages. That’s one of the great attributes of reading: the length doesn’t matter. What does matter is finding something you enjoy, learning something new, or getting lost in a mystical world created by a talented author. In other words, all that matters is that you read. Apparently, I did a lot of it in 2021, and I’m glad I did. Below is a selection of books I read in 2021. Make sure to check them out, and happy reading in 2022!
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck by Mark Manson is one of the most wildly successful books I’ve ever seen. On Audible, it has nearly 150,000 reviews, beating out the Harry Potter books by a wide margin. In the author’s words, is this book “worth giving a fuck” about? Read on for my thoughts.
Halo: The Fall of Reach
Since 2001, there have been more than 30 Halo novels, with another — Halo: The Rubicon Protocol — coming out in June. That’s 20 years of Halo video games, as well as novels expanding on the universe that fans love. With Halo having just celebrated its 20th anniversary, I’m going to listen to and review all of the Halo novels, starting with, of course, the first — Halo: The Fall of Reach by Eric Nylund. Read on for my thoughts on this book.
24/6: The Power Of Unplugging One Day A Week
I recently listened to the audiobook 24/6: The Power of Unplugging One Day a Week by Tiffany Shlain. Read on for my thoughts on this intriguing book.
Pines
Pines by Blake Crouch is the first book in the Wayward Pines Trilogy. This series of books launched an excellent TV show on Fox a few years back that, unfortunately, only last two seasons. Nevertheless, I encourage you to watch it, as it is highly entertaining. I listened to the audiobook version of Pines, published by Brilliance Audio. Is it any good? Read on for my thoughts.
Halloween Kills
Not only can you watch Halloween Kills, but now you can read and listen to it as well because the official novelization by Tim Waggoner is available in print, eBook, and audiobook formats. Read on for my thoughts on this book and whether or not it’s worth your money.
Taste
Having watched and enjoyed Stanley Tucci’s show Searching For Italy, I was very excited to listen to him narrate his new audiobook, which is a food-focused memoir. Is it worth the price of admission? Read on for my thoughts.
The Ultimate History of Video Games
I love video games, and I’ve read many books about the history of gaming. The Ultimate History of Video Games by Steven L. Kent is the best one available. The Audible version is more than 20 hours long, and it’s filled with interviews with industry luminaries, fascinating stories, and more content than you can shake a joystick at. Read my full review here.
Pro Wrestling FAQ
Released in 2015, Pro Wrestling FAQ by Brian Solomon is a lengthy and detailed history of a fascinating industry, spectacle, and art form. Watch my video review below to see what’s inside and find out whether or not you should add this book to your collection.
Murder, She Wrote: Murder on Parade
I met the late, great author Donald Bain at ThrillerFest, and I had the pleasure of interviewing him in 2013. He was a kind and gifted man, and when Donald Bain passed away in 2017 I was devastated. Thankfully, his amazing Murder, She Wrote novels live on. Around the time of the 4th of July this year, I decided to read Murder on Parade because it too takes place during the 4th of July. Is it any good? Read on for my thoughts.
Chain Saw Confidential
Joe Bob Briggs called The Texas Chain Saw Massacre the greatest movie ever made, and for nearly 50 years it has captured the imagination of fans worldwide. Chain Saw is one of the most influential and profoundly impactful horror movies of all time. It’s raw, gritty vibe and unrelenting willingness to make the viewer feel uncomfortable is what set it apart from the competition at the time and why it remains a timeless piece of celluloid. Gunnar Hansen played the iconic Leatherface in Chain Saw, and, thankfully, two years before passing away from pancreatic cancer at the age of 68, he put pen to paper and wrote a book all about the legendary movie to which he was inextricably attached. Even better than this, Gunnar Hansen chose to narrate the audiobook version of his book, Chain Saw Confidential, which is an Audible Original. Read on for my full review.
