So far this year I haven’t been able to focus on my favourite genre, literary fiction, which tends to be character-driven. Instead, I’ve been more captivated by plot-driven stories, and have even turned to a few graphic novels, middle grade books, and old favourites–as in rereads!–all of which are out of character for me. At first I felt a bit anxious that I was missing out on books that would have been new favourites had I not been in the “wrong” headspace, but I’m learning to embrace this change in my reading habits for however long it might last. Despite my worries, I found a new favourite after all, and it’s one of the best feelings in the world! The only problem now is that I need to figure out how to put these fictional characters behind me and move on with my life hmm…
This post is up super late, but the stats in this post reflect the books I’ve read up through June 30, 2021.
In numbers
31 books read. Not as many as I’ve read by the halfway point in the past two years, but still well ahead pace to hit that 52 book mark by the end of the year!
50% women. I don’t actively seek out female authors, but since tracking my stats in 2018, I’ve noticed that I have a natural inclination toward them, with women usually making up about 60-70% of the authors I read per year. So far this year the percentage is lower, but I’m fine with any stat at 50% or higher.
42% POC. When I first started tracking my stats, only about 20% of the authors I read were people of colour, but in the past two years it has risen to about 40%, so it looks like I’ve maintained progress!
1 classic: The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. I tried to read more, I really tried, but The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas defeated me. I made it 48% through, then took a break from classics to read contemporary books and reassure myself that yes, I know how to read.
6 rereads: the Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan, One Day by David Nicholls. The Percy Jackson series was such an entertaining and nostalgic read. The plot was fast-paced, the friendships were wholesome, and the chapter titles were cheeky. Unfortunately, One Day didn’t hold up for me on the reread. What I remembered as a friends-to-lovers romance for the ages turned out to be more of a depressing relationship between a bitter girl and self-centered boy.
41 books bought + 5 books traded + 13 books gifted = 59 books accumulated. Okay well that’s a terrifying number! All I have to say for myself is that now that I finally have a home base in the States (my parents bought a house; the house in China is still there), I’ve felt more free to build a larger collection of books. 24 of of my purchases went to building my fantasy series collection, 4 went to replacement editions–all 28 of which I sniped secondhand for cheap off eBay auctions–which means I only bought 13 other books!!! Which isn’t too crazy?? Maybe???
Of the 59 books accumulated so far this year, 32 are unread, half of which are from my new fantasy collection.
Best reads
The Poppy War trilogy by RF Kuang. A historical military fantasy inspired by the Second Sino-Japanese War and Chinese Civil War, following Rin, who aces the nationwide exam to escape her village and attend an elite military academy. I loved Rin’s propensity for achievement and revenge, the boarding school drama, and the unflinching look at Chinese history. Started and finished the trilogy in June; reread the first book in July. Obsessed. Buddy read with Sheena ♡
Honourable mentions
The Rape of Nanking by Iris Chang. On the Nanjing massacre–six weeks of mass murder and mass rape with a death toll estimate of 40,000-300,000. A difficult but important read, especially since it was kept out of public consciousness for so long. I didn’t set out to read a bunch of books about the Second Sino-Japanese War, but here we are. I mean, the same Japanese soldier was quoted in The Rape of Nanking and The Poppy War! And Kuang dedicated The Poppy War “for Iris!”
Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q Sutanto. Meddy, her mom, and her aunties try to get rid of a dead body while working a billionaire’s over-the-top wedding; How to Get Away with Murder, Chinese-Indonesian auntie edition. This was so much fun, and it just kept escalating! I recommend going in blind and hanging on for the ride. Buddy read with Sheena ♡
Books I keep saying I’ll get to but haven’t… yet!
I am the proud owner of the next two books. All that’s left is to read them, and I will! Before the year is over, I swear it!
The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov. Needed a break from classics after attempting The Count of Monte Cristo, but there’s still plenty of time left in the year for one (or a few) more! All I know about this one is that the devil visits an atheistic society and there’s a demon cat involved.
How We Disappeared by Jing-Jing Lee. Needed a break after Pachinko, The Rape of Nanking, and The Poppy War, but I’m ready to dive back into the Second Sino-Japanese War with this one. Set in Singapore, about “comfort women” forced into sexual slavery.
Wish list
I have a few on my Amazon wish list, but this next one’s at the top!
Lonely Castle in the Mirror by Mizuki Tsujimura, Doubleday paperback edition. Seven students discover a portal into another world to escape from their everyday life and troubles. Seems like it’ll be a heartwarming one, and perhaps a bit melancholy as well. Total cover lust.
I’m also waiting to see whether Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner will come out in paperback with the same cover design as the US hardcover, in which case, that one will definitely be going on my wish list as well! (Spoiler: I read a library copy in July and it’s made the list alongside The Poppy War for my favourite reads of 2021!)
What’s your favourite read of the year so far? What’s a book you’re determined to read before the end of 2021?