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2021: An Intentional Reading Year In Review

Time spent reading is precious .

In 2021 I resolved to cultivate a more intentional reading life.

I find it very stifling to choose what books I will read in a given period of time - but I also acknowledge that some reading guidelines are helpful as I seek to make the most of the reading time I do have.

Developing 5 guiding principles for my reading life in 2021 seemed to work well, and in my year-end review, I’d like to revisit those principles and highlight my favorite books from the year at the same time.

Full disclosure: I am not naturally an organized person. I am a creative at heart. My 2021 reading life was an exercise in becoming a bit more organized, but allowing myself to explore those “reading rabbit holes” I so desperately love.

2021 Reading Year in Review

Let’s go through the goals I made nearly a year ago - I’ll give a report on how I did with the goal, and then give you some books from that category I enjoyed.

Homegrown Book Picks

Hang on, and get out your TBR list! But first…

Follow Along This Year!

First, if you’d like to see what I’m reading - and everything I read in 2021 - you can connect with me in several ways:

You’ll be noticing more from me this year under “Homegrown Book Picks”, so I hope you follow along!



Including More Nonfiction

A few people who know me well assured me that if I found the RIGHT nonfiction, I would love it, and they were correct. I discovered an entirely new genre to me (or at least I discovered a name for it) - Narrative Nonfiction.

Each month I did try to include at least one nonfiction read - and surprisingly I began to gravitate toward MORE nonfiction. The following five were favorites this year:

Additionally, I had a few other nonfiction favorites. Each of these broadened my mind and inspired me to consider new and interesting ideas.

This Beautiful Truth, by Sarah Clarkson, truly spoke to me this year. My dad passed away in March and her words help me to see God’s beauty in even the most difficult circumstances surrounding my dad’s death.

Make Time for Middle-Grade Novels

I realized that I’ve truly been missing middle grades novels! Now that my youngest is nearly finished with high school we’re not reading middle-grade books aloud (although we do still read aloud!). In 2021 I sought to include middle-grade novels and share about them with the Homegrown Learners community.

One author I continued to fall in love with in 2021 is Michael Morpurgo. I gifted An Elephant in the Garden to a couple of teens I know, who loved it just as much as I did! Morpurgo’s books are poignant and easy to read. I plan to read more of them in 2022.

I read many more middle-grade books in 2021, but these are the standouts:

Give Me All The Historical Fiction

In 2021 I knew I needed to broaden my reading horizons a bit, but I also didn’t want to give up my favorite genre, historical fiction. So, I decided to just embrace the genre and take in as much as I could during the year.

I’m truly a historical fiction nerd, and I embrace that.

Hands down, my favorite book of the year was Once Upon a Wardrobe, by Patti Callahan.

This book was truly a magical escape. I read an advanced copy via Netgalley, and then after the book was published a dear friend purchased a signed copy for me as a gift. What a treasure!

I also seemed to read a lot of books based in Europe during the first half of the 20th century. I learned quite a bit about London society during WWII.

2022 will certainly include a lot of historical fiction, and I’m hoping to find nonfiction match-ups to help me learn more about topics I’m interested in. For example, I just finished reading The Woman Before Wallis this past week and now I’m on a hunt to find nonfiction books about Thelma and Gloria Morgan (Vanderbilt).

Tackle Those Classics

In my post from earlier this year, I wrote about trying to read a classic each month. I didn’t reach that goal, but I will continue to strive to read more classics in 2022.

And, what exactly is the definition of a classic? According to the dictionary, a classic is a work that is:

judged over a period of time to be of the highest quality and outstanding of its kind.

I was delighted to discover Elizabeth Goudge in 2021 - and loved The Bird in the Tree. I copied nearly four pages of quotes into my book journal from that book alone!

Madeleine L’Engle also occupied a place in my heart. Her Crosswick Journals, which are personal reflections on her faith and family, were a balm to my soul. I gifted A Circle of Quiet (the first of the journals) this year because it meant so much to me.

Favorite classics this year:

Allow Room For Escape

From my blog post earlier this year:

I do enjoy reading for escape, so I will be choosing one “escape” book each month.

These books will be “just because” books - but I want to be very careful that they are free of foul language, explicit sex scenes, and social agendas.

This turned out to be an interesting goal. The older I get the more discerning I become. I want the books I read to feed my soul and intrigue me in some way. It’s hard to find “best sellers” that are free of sex scenes and social agendas. I found myself steering away from best sellers in 2021 (although you will see there are a few I really did like).

This last “escape” category was a little bit of a catch-all for me in 2021. There was definitely some fluff in the category, but also some best-selling literary fiction that I did enjoy.

Two authors that stood out for me this year were Sean Dietrich (Sean of the South) and Katherine Reay. I will be reading more of their books in 2022.

A BIG Goal for 2022

I want to continue the intentional reading I pursued in 2021, so those five categories/goals remain the same.

There is, however, one big hairy goal I am making.

Are you ready? (The people closest to me are shouting hooray but doubt I can do it.)

I will not buy a book in 2022.

and just in case I didn’t state that clearly…

I will not buy a book in 2022.

So, how then will I obtain books?

  • Read from my extensive stash at home!

  • Use the library and my Libby app.

  • Borrow from friends or find at The Little Free Library

  • Use my Scribd subscription — which is AMAZING! (If you want to try it you can read for 30 days free using this link. I can have as many audio and eBooks going as I want at one time!)

I have a crazy amount of books in my home, and I am looking forward to reading through them. Any whims that I have for reading will have to be satisfied without spending money on books - which my husband assures me will save our family a significant amount of money - and space!

I hope you have enjoyed this 2021 reading wrap-up and recommendation post.

I’d love to know if you had a favorite (s) book in 2021.

Let me know what it was in the comments below!

You might also like:

12 Favorite Books in 2021 (from guest contributor, Allison)

How to Set Reading Goals with Children

Twelve Favorite Books in 2021

You know I am kind of obsessed with reading, right?

One of the contributing writers here at Homegrown Learners, Allison, shares my obsession! And - fun fact - I first met Allison because she was the leader of a local book club I was visiting. Needless to say, Allison and I hit it off. We love being bookish friends, and now that she homeschools her children we’re homeschool friends, too!

Allison and I are always comparing what we are reading and sharing reviews, so naturally, I wanted her to share some of her favorites of 2021 with all of you.

I hope you enjoy Allisons 12 favorite books this year!

(And never fear - I will have my own reading wrap up and revisit my 2021 goals on the blog in a couple of weeks! While Allison and I share similar taste in books, I don’t think we’ve had a ton of overlap this year!)

2021 has been a banner year in my reading life and I wanted to share a few titles that I just couldn’t stop talking and thinking about.

I’ve broken them down into fiction, non-fiction, and middle grades. I hope you will enjoy these as much as I have.

Fiction Favorites

Once Upon a Wardrobe by Patti Callahan

This was my favorite book this year and it had to be placed at the top of my list!

Patti Callahan captured me from the beginning.  It was like sitting down with a cup of tea and a cozy blanket and being taken back in time to C.S. Lewis’s home at the Kilns in Oxford, England.  Patti Callahan explores what led Lewis to pen his classic novels on the land of Narnia. 

Where did Narnia come from?  Was it based on his own life?  Patti Callahan delves into these questions through the eyes of her main characters Megs and her younger brother George who is dying of a weak heart and longs for the answers to these questions. 

What follows is a lovely novel and one I plan to re-read in the future. 


Surviving Savannah by Patti Callahan

Another great work by Patti Callahan was this historical fiction novel covering a little before known shipwreck that occurred in 1838. 

The Pulaski, nicknamed “the Titanic of the South” was a luxury steamship carrying the elite of Savannah north for the summer.  Following a dual timeline, one during the voyage of the ship in 1838 and the other of the team curating a museum exhibit displaying the newly found wreckage 180 years later.  Callahan delves into how we navigate tragedy differently and how we are all connected to those who have gone on before us. 

Callahan has quickly become my go-to author for historical fiction!


The Rose Code by Kate Quinn

I am a huge Kate Quinn fan and this was my favorite work of hers so far!

She takes the reader back in time to Bletchley Park in London during the height of World War II. Brilliant men and women have been assembled from all over the country and are working around the clock to break German codes, and ultimately defeat the Nazis. Told from multiple points of view, this story of codebreakers, which was top secret until 1974, will enthrall you until the last page. Also of interest is the storyline involving a young Prince Phillip before his marriage to the future Queen Elizabeth II.

Quinn is truly a master of historical fiction.



The Nature of Fragile Things by Susan Meissner

Susan Meissner is another of my favorite authors and I am always anticipating her next novel. This one did not disappoint!

She writes of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake through the eyes of three different women who lived through this tragedy. The story begins with a young Irish immigrant, Sophie, who answers an ad to be a mail-order bride to escape the tenement she is living in as she hopes for a better life. As she gets to know the mysterious man she has married, events are set in motion that culminate at the same time as the city is ravaged by a terrible earthquake.

What ensues is a historical mystery that will keep you hanging on to the last word.



My Dear Hamilton by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie

With the success of the Broadway musical Hamilton, there has been no shortage of books on the life of this famous founding father.

This book chronicles the life of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton, following her life from her childhood in a well-to-do family in New York City through her courtship and marriage with Alexander and the years after his death. The novel is meticulously researched, well-executed and engaging. Eliza truly is a woman who was involved in the very founding of our nation, but whose story is little known.

Living fifty years after her husband's death she makes it her life's work to tell her husband's story and to support the new country she has helped found. My Dear Hamilton will become a favorite for anyone interested in the American Revolution and the founding of our nation.


The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah

Another notable name in historical fiction is Kristin Hannah and her latest work covers the Dust Bowl of the 1930’s.

This heartbreaking story tells of the men and women migrating to California in search of a better life during 1934. There is not much hope for these individuals, however, the resilience they display will inspire courage in anyone reading of their plight.

Following the journey of Elsa Martinelli and her children, Hannah weaves a narrative of a woman willing to sacrifice it all for the hope of a better life for her children. Kristin Hannah tugs at the heartstrings again in this latest novel.



Hannah Coulter by Wendell Berry

My last pick for fiction is a little different than the rest. This is the first book by Wendell Berry I have read, but it will definitely not be the last.

Berry writes of his home state of Kentucky and the men and women living in the fictional town of Port William. This particular novel is told from the perspective of Hannah Coulter, the elderly narrator as she recalls her life, the land, and her connection to the people of Port William.

The way Berry writes is so beautiful and descriptive that the reader is immediately immersed in Hannah’s world. I marked so many passages in this novel that resonated with me and loved slowly lingering over the words he shares.

For a thoughtful, contemplative read pick up this one and you will not be disappointed.

Twelve Favorite Books in 2021

Non-Fiction Favorites

Dead Wake by Erik Larson

I’ve had Larson’s books on my shelf for years intending to read them and finally picked this one up - it was one of the best decisions I made.

Dead Wake tells the doomed tale of the Lusitania, a ship sunk by a German U-Boat in 1915 at the height of World War I. Researched in great detail and written in more of a story-like manner, Larson details the ill-fated trip of the luxury liner, the path of the infamous U-Boat, and the details of British intelligence secretly tracking all of these movements but telling no one.

What ensues is a “truth is stranger than fiction” story that will enthrall anyone interested in military history.

I Am: A 60-Day Journey to Knowing Who You Are Because of Who He Is by Michelle Cushatt

Do you ever read something and wonder how the author was able to put your exact thoughts into words so eloquently? 

Well, that is exactly what happened with this devotional.  I literally marked lines on almost every page and savored it over several months.  This book is set up as a devotional to be read daily, but it took me much longer than 60 days as I spaced it out not wanting it to be over. 

Cushatt has lived through cancer multiple times and while I haven’t had this experience, her words on grief, trauma, and self-doubt definitely rang true for me.  I quickly picked up all of her other works and devoured them all. 

She was a fresh new voice of frankness and encouragement for me this year and I was so grateful to find her. 

The Core: Teaching Your Child the Foundations of Classical Education by Leigh Bortins

As newbies to the world of homeschooling and Classical Conversations, I’ve taken some time this year to read more about classical education and its benefits for my children.

This book was one of the best I’ve read and really introduced me to what classical education is, why it matters and how to implement it in my home. It gave me confidence and made me believe I was capable of successfully educating my children at home in a classical way. I look forward to reading her next two books for older children in the coming year.

Middle Grades Favorites

A Place to Hang the Moon by Kate Albus 

This lovely novel follows three siblings who are evacuated from London during World War II and sent to live in the countryside of England. 

While that’s a common storyline of many books, this one differs in that the children are orphans and their legal guardian has also died.  They are hoping to find a “forever family” and what follows is an absolutely beautiful story of what family really means. 

They meet some very horrible people, but also some very loving individuals during their time in the country - this heartwarming tale is so full of hope and redemption.  This one would make a truly delightful read during the Christmas holidays. 

My children who are 11 and 6 also loved it, as did my own mother.  It’s perfect for all ages!

The Vanderbeeker’s of 141st Street by Karina Yan Glaser

The first in a series, this book follows the five Vanderbeeker children living in a brownstone in Harlem as they seek to save the home they are soon to be evicted from. Their crotchety building owner and neighbor, who hasn’t left his home in 6 years, is unwilling to renew their lease. The children set about to change his mind and what happens will delight readers!

This book also speaks to loving those who sometimes seem unlovable and not jumping to conclusions. We really never know what someone else is going through. Fall in love with the Vanderbeekrs and then pick up the rest of the series!


Thanks for letting me share and I would love to hear your favorites from the year so I can add them to my To Be Read list in 2022!

Many of these books can be found on Scribd - it’s a wonderful (and cost-effective) way to have digital and audiobooks at your fingertips - plus they offer so much more, too!

You can read free for 60 days by using this link.


12 Favorite Books in 2021

This is post is from Homegrown Learners contributor, Allison. She is a wife and mother with a passion for reading. With a background in Early Childhood Education as well as experience working in Corporate America, the events of the past year exposed her to the rewards of teaching her own children at home.

She hopes to encourage anyone who has ever been anxious about taking this leap with her own personal successes and failures of her family's first year of homeschooling.