A Month in Summary - December 2021

Little Whale Cove

Depoe Bay, Oregon

December 2021

I'm really surprised that I managed to not only review every book I read in 2021, but I did so before the end of each month. I think these monthly summaries have helped to keep me accountable and will make it a lot easier for me to put together my year-end roundup. Plus, it's fun to look back on the year and see not only what I've read, but which shows and movies we watched. I'll put together a "Best of 2021" for that, as well.

This final month of reading was filled primarily with books that I had selected for Nonfiction November, as well as a couple of novels that I was eager to read. I typically don't read much in December and was shocked to tally up the numbers for this post. Two of the books were finished in the first days of the month and another was a very quick read, but nonetheless, eight books during the holidays is probably a record for me. I had a few mediocre reads, but the books in the top row were my favorites. We'll see how much I get read in January since I'm scheduled for jury duty. 

Books Read (click on the title for my review):

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab (3.5/5)

The Longest Road: Overland in Search of America, Key From West West to the Arctic Ocean by Philip Caputo (2/5)

Notes on Grief by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (3/5)

Broken Horses by Brandi Carlile (3/5)

I Miss You When I Blink by Mary Laura Philpott (3/5)

Delancey by Molly Wizenberg (4/5)

Yeah, No. Not Happening. by Karen Karbo (1/5)

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig (4/5)

Movies & TV Series:

Don't Look Up - We loved this! Be sure to watch for the extra scene after the credits.

Station Eleven - I listened to this book in 2015 and didn't care for it (probably should have read the print edition since the timeline is very confusing), but I am enjoying the tv series. I'll finish on my own since my mom and husband aren't into it.

Grace (2 episodes) - Very good, but intense and gritty. Each case is wrapped up by the end of each episode.

Finch - Definitely a feel-good movie. Tom Hanks is great, as always.

Paranoid - I don't know where I heard about this show, but we liked it a lot. Fun to see Indira Varma (from Game of Thrones) in a different role.

Shetland (Season 6) - Finished this season. Didn't love it.

Puzzlemania:

This was a tough puzzle! I just about went blind.

Celebrations!

I turned 60 this month and enjoyed celebrating with friends and family. I was treated to three separate celebrations at a few of my favorite restaurants (all before Omicron became a such a concern).  

We also had a lovely, albeit quiet, Christmas. We even got a dusting of snow! 

I am writing this post on my new laptop and am very excited about my new Canon EOS RP camera (and telephoto lens), which will be great for wildlife photography. Santa must have thought I was exceptionally good this year! ;)

And now it's time to start thinking about 2022 and what I will choose for my first book of the year. I hope you and your families stay safe and healthy. At this point, I think everyone now knows of someone who has had Covid. Omicron is spreading like wildfire, but so far those in my extended family have had "mild" cases (similar to strep) and I'm hoping to keep my immediate family germ-free.