Friday, January 8, 2021

#mustreadin2021 - 1.08.21

 



Better late than never, right?  I've had my 2021 Must Reads list together for awhile, but couldn't find the time to write the post.  Happy to finally be sharing it with you.

I had already had the idea of what my list would look like, but when the #DisruptTexts movement hit some criticism due to an opinion piece in the WSJ, it became solidified.  In my opinion, the op-ed piece completely missed the point of what the #DisruptTexts movement does and focuses on.  

So this year, my must read books are mostly current YA novels that are written by BIPoC authors.  Books that should be read and shared in high school classrooms today.  I have two MG titles that are also #ownvoices novels, as well as the new Barack Obama book.  Because, you know, I need reminding of what a President sounds like while I wait for January 20th...

Now if you have seen President Obama's newest book, you know not only is it a great read, it's also a weight.  Getting through that book in a month would have me forgoing all other reads, which is hard to do.  So that one is split into months - I'll read parts of it starting in January and finishing in April.  I'll have a reason to continue reading since I'm using it as our current book club selection that I do with my sister.

If you have followed my blog, you know that I read one book a month for my Must Read selections.  That way I know I can get to one book that has been languishing in a pile, yet still make time for all the millions of other books I want to read.  If you are a regular reader of this blog, you also know that I tend to add a book here or there because it is near impossible to limit a list to just 12 books.  This year was especially hard!

Without further ado, here are the books I must read in 2021!



January:  A Promised Land (parts 1-2) by Barack Obama
February:  A Promised Land (parts 3-4)
March:  A Promised Land (parts 5-6)
April:  A Promised Land (part 7) and Grown by Tiffany Jackson
May:  Every Body Looking by Candice Iloh and Super Fake Love Song by David Yoon
June:  Something to Say by Lisa Moore Ramée and Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
July: Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi and Furia by Yamile Saied Méndez
August:  This is My America by Kim Johnson
September:  The Assignment by Liza Wiemer
October:  The Belles by Dhonielle  Clayton
November:  Cinderella is Dead by Kalynn Bayron
December:  For Black Girls Like Me by Mariama J. Lockington and Hearts Unbroken by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Should be another great year of reading!  Happy 2021 to all.

3 comments:

  1. I love your plan of one book a month. I still haven't posted my list, so you are not last to post! I have had Children of Blood and Bone and Hearts Unbroken on my shelf for awhile! But I guess that is why we make these lists! Thanks for sharing you lists with us!

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  2. Super Fake Love Song is one I need to read, too. Loved David Yoon's previous book and this newer one sounds great, too. Something to Say is a book I really enjoyed. Have a great week!

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  3. You have some stellar books on your list here Michele. I've come to where I only read #ownvoices novels from around the world. I like your idea of a section of a book at a time. I've got a couple where this strategy would be ideal.

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