Welcome to my last TBR Update of the year!
We’ve made it to the final TBR of the year! I’ve posted eight TBRs on this blog so far, featuring 28 books I planned to read. I’ve been doing quite well and I’ve read all the books from last months which i almost never do! As you’ll have seen from my wrap-up, I only have three books left from past TBRs to get through:
Since this is the last month of the year, and I have plenty of posts coming your way, I’m adding a respectable two new books to round things off for the year. Between work blogging and life in general I might not have enough time to read as much as I usually do and I am currently on a mission: finish every book I’ve put on a TBR this year so I can start January with a clean slate. That means nine books in total (this includes my full TBR – check it out on GoodReads) to read before 31 December. I’m going to be strict with myself, and hopefully I’ll manage it.
Usually, these updates feature brand-new additions, but this time I’m choosing books that have already been lurking on the list — some for quite a while.
2 Books!
Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Genre: Contemporary Nigerian Fiction
Chiamaka, a Nigerian travel writer in America, reflects on love and past choices during the pandemic. Her best friend Zikora confronts heartbreak, while cousin Omelogor questions her identity, and housekeeper Kadiatou faces unexpected hardship.
Dream Count follows four women navigating ambition, family and self-discovery in a changing, interconnected world. My relationship with Chimamanda’s writing is complicated. She’s undeniably brilliant, but sometimes her novels feel so intensely character-driven that very little actually happens — and yet so much does, all at once. Her work is also heavy; she doesn’t shy away from the pain and complexities of womanhood, and her storytelling can feel truly inescapable. You need to be in the right headspace, and I’m not always there.
However, a friend is currently reading Dream Count and reminded me of it last month, so if there’s ever a time to give it a go, it’s now.
Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Genre: Historical Literary fiction
Joan Goodwin, a physics professor with a lifelong passion for space, joins NASA’s first group of female shuttle trainees in 1980. As she navigates intense training, new friendships and unexpected love, she begins to rethink her future. But when disaster strikes mid-mission, everything she has worked for is put at risk.
This book simply had to be added. I’ve had such a wonderful time with Taylor Jenkins Reid this year (post coming soon!) and I want to read everything she’s ever written. I wasn’t initially drawn to Atmosphere, nothing about astronauts usually appeals to me, but there’s something about TJR’s writing that makes her characters feel like real people. I’m certain the experience will be worth it. Plus, a friend told me she cried reading it… and really, what better endorsement is there? I’ll likely go for the audiobook, as I have with most of her books this year.
I’m genuinely excited for these two, and I really do hope I manage to stay on track with my TBR. For the record, below is every book I’ve added to my TBR this year that I’ve actually read — along with their ratings.
Introducing this monthly update has been one of my favourite changes to the blog. When I do my year-end round-up, you’ll all see just how strongly my mood-reader tendencies outweigh my TBR intentions.
Thanks so much for being here, and stay tuned for my End of Year Posts!
Signed,
