It's not hyperbolic of me to say that 2021 was perhaps the roughest year of my adult life (so far!). I know others had it far worse, and I'm nonetheless thankful for loved ones and the (relative) good fortune I had, but still - 2021 sucked. While there were a few bright spots sprinkled here and there, it was an exhausting, infuriating, maddeningly difficult year. Usually when this happens, literature saves me. It simultaneously puts my problems in perspective and also gives me an avenue of escape.
Each and every one of the books listed below helped make 2021 a livable experience. They are listed in the order I read them, with letter grades indicating my overall enjoyment of the text. My favorites are highlighted in blue. I read less than I normally do - only squeaking out 20 titles as opposed to my typical goal of 25+ - but I guess unforseen house-hunting and job-hunting eats up a lot of free time. Well, regardless, read and enjoy! (And if 2022 gives you trouble, try burying your face in some books. Trust me - it helps.)
1.) Full Throttle by Joe Hill ... B
2.) The Unspeakable by Meghan Daum ... A
3.) Hate Inc. by Matt Taibbi ... B
4.) Play It As It Lays by Joan Didion ... A
5.) Skeleton Crew by Stephen King ... B+
6.) Star Wars: Darth Vader, Vol. 1 - Vader by Kieron Gillen and Salvador Larocca ... B
7.) Flight by Sherman Alexie ... A+
8.) Night by Elie Wiesel ... A+
9.) The Trial by Franz Kafka ... A-
10.) 12 Rules for Life by Jordan B. Peterson ... B
11.) Coolidge by Amity Shlaes ... A
12.) Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave by Frederick Douglass ... A+
13.) Misery by Stephen King ... A+
14.) Outraged by Ashley "Dotty" Charles ... C
15.) Lord of the Flies by William Golding ... A+
16.) Hatchet by Gary Paulsen ... B
17.) Brian's Winter by Gary Paulsen ... B+
18.) Selected Poems of Langston Hughes by Langston Hughes ... A+
19.) Hole in My Life by Jack Gantos ... A+
20.) Cycle of the Werewolf by Stephen King ... B
