7 Books I Want to Read in 2021

I love reading–if you have been following me, you likely know this. You might also know that of late I’ve been so stressed that even this favourite and comforting hobby fell by the wayside. I think I was just too exhausted to read. Or do much of anything. But one of my goals for 2021 was to get back to reading, and so today I want to share you some books I want to read in 2021.

The Painted Girls by Catherine Marie Buchanan

I have had this book on my shelf for quite a while now, but I haven’t read it yet and this is definitely a novel I want to get to this year. For nearly a decade I was exclusively reading romance, and while I thoroughly enjoyed the genre, it’s gotten a little stale for me and I am finding myself drawn to to other genres like mysteries and thrillers and historical fiction. And this story of two sisters thrown upon hard times and into different circumstances. This story is one that captures my attention and imagination and I hope that it lives up to my expectations. And this is a book I need to read in 2021.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer

Ever since I saw the adaptation on Netflix, I have been meaning to read this book, but again…just haven’t. If you have seen the film on Netflix, you’ll likely understand why I am so eager to read this. Stories set during World War II aren’t usually my cup of tea, but in this case the novel sounds uplifting, with a versatile cast of characters and just strikes me a general feel good read.

Related Post: Classic Novels You Need to Read

Hamnet and Judith by Maggie O’Farrell

This story strikes me as being a fictionalized account of Shakespeare’s life just as he is developing into the bard as we know him today. Even better, it sounds like his wife is the main character which captivates me as I find as women’s stories and history is of particular interest to me, and especially fascinating. I have this currently on hold from my public library and should be getting this in about a month, which is especially exciting.

The Midnight Bargain by C.L Polk

So this book is a book about magic, and magic and fantasy always draw me in like a moth to a flame. The main character must choose between her magic and love and the story sounds rich and moving. I also have this one on hold at the library, so hopefully I can read it sooner rather than later.

Related Post: 5 Holiday Books to Gift this Christmas

The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson

This novel is one I’m reading for a book club I’m in, and I have to read this by January 30th, so I’d better get cracking. I’ve honestly been dying to read this for months, but of course now that it’s finally the book of the month I’ve been laid up in hospital and unable to focus—or when I was, I didn’t have access to the book which was at home. But I think I can plow through this in time for the meeting. Wish me luck! I had wanted to read this back in October, because, haunting you know, but I never did so it looks like a book I’ll be reading in 2021 and very soon!

The Bell by Iris Murdoch

Considered one of the great writers of the twentieth century, The Bell is also one of the best novels written by this author. The community described seems one of outcasts, filled with compelling characters and complex themes. Admittedly, the cover drew me to this novel, but I am curious to discover how I like one the greatest writers of the last century.

Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood

I have never been much interested in Atwood’s novels, even though she’s s a famous Canadian author. Of course, I read A Handmaid’s Tale years ago, for a course I took in university, but none of the other titles ever drew me. Some of them sounded downright strange. But I did see the limited series for Alias Grace on Netflix, and that intrigued me enough that I went out and bought the novel. So I intend to read it this year! Since last year I read a pitiful amount of books, this year I want to read a lot more.

And…

Of course I intend to read more than these seven novels, however these are ones I really want to get read that are on my shelves (other than the two I have at hold at the library) and I have many more that I hope I can read from my shelves as well. I’m just not limiting myself to a list made in January because who knows what I might want to read in a month or two?

I am super excited to be returning to a hobby that has always kept me uplifted and calm. It’s never one I thought I’d move away from, but I never expected a pandemic or the stress that came with it or how I would handle all of this. It’s been up and down, and 2020 was a challenging year for me in so many ways. I hope that reading will contribute to my self care as it has since I was a child, and that I can really get back to doing something I love.

Have you read any of these novels? What books are you currently reading? Share your thoughts in the comments below.