Book Report

Well here it is, my last post of 2021. I'd like to say that 2021 was a banner year for blogging. It was not. I had more than twice as many posts in 2020. Still, some stories were shared, laughs were had, grumblings were aired, as I plodded away through the year. And it was a banner year in at least one aspect - as I finally got into my new place and said goodbye to apartment living. Forever.

Today, the world said goodbye forever to Betty White. Just shy of 100, the TV and film icon seemed like she would outlast everyone. But in the end, even she has to make that great journey into the unknown beyond. Seems like this should be an even bigger story than the New Year that's currently occupying most network television airwaves.

But now that I've moved on (literally and figuratively) and started over on my new life, my new journey into my own great unknown, here we are saying goodbye to yet another year that was marred by a worldwide pandemic that some deny exists and most are at least tired of acknowledging exists. Good bye, 2021, good bye. 

So what have I done to ring in the New Year? Well first off, it's not quite 10pm here so we still have a little over two hours to go. Did I watch the ball drop in New York? Nope. Have I or will I give a toast to the New Year? Nope. Well, technically, I did this with my parents and some Barefoot Chardonnay earlier this afternoon. I mean, it was already January 1 somewhere in the world at that point, so it counts, right? Well, before I digress too far, I'll sum up by reiterating what I know I've stated in years past on here. 

It's just another day.

Really, I don't celebrate New Year's Eve. Making resolutions? Nope. I mean if you can't inspire yourself to improve upon whatever it is that torments your soul the rest of the year, no sudden proclamation on this night will do much good to you in the coming days, or weeks, or months. I suppose I shouldn't be so pessimistic, I mean hey, whatever works for you is good I suppose. And truth be told, I have in the past done some celebrating of the New Year (who can forget all those celebrations at Disneyland near and at the turn of the century?). And I've certainly flirted with ideas of things I'd like to at least try and accomplish as another year unfolds. 

And I suppose it should at least, now, be a time for positivity, as we reflect on the past and look to the future.

So in a positive light, and before I get to my book report, I'll mention that I had a banner year in step counts, i.e. walking. Yes, I walked. I walked a lot. 2021 is basically done for that, since I will walk very little over the next two hours. My average daily step count for this year was 13,496, up from 12,537 in 2020. So there, something to cheer about. I'll toast to that! Er...maybe tomorrow. 

And in line with something I started last year (or was it the year before?) - I'd like to report on the books I read. Again, I'm not what you might call a "prolific" or even "avid" reader - I know quite a few people that put me to shame in that regard. But still, I read more than a lot of people seem to these days, and this year I did crank out 9 books in my not-so-copious free time in-between work, raising a kid, all that walking I did, and playing Minecraft. I mean seriously, where was the time to read anything??

But here are the books I read this year, in order (and it bears mentioning that I didn't even finish the first one until May. So, really, I did 8 books in the last 7 months). But here they are: 

Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes - Suzanne Collins
Normal People - Sally Rooney
The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath
Anthem - Ayn Rand
Deadeye Dick - Kurt Vonnegut
Galapagos - Kurt Vonnegut
Mother Night - Kurt Vonnegut
Farenheit 451 - Ray Bradbury

And no, I won't actually bore you to tears with a lengthy analytical book report on these. I mean, if you're that interested, go read them yourself. Except maybe Farenheit 451. I actually never read it before, and frankly I don't enjoy his style of writing, with the ridiculously obtuse metaphors and even more ridiculous dialogue. Plus, I'm sure most people were subjected to this in high school, or perhaps college. I somehow avoided it till now. Don't get me wrong, I'm not sorry I read it. But I'm glad it was borrowed from the library and not something I bought. I have a few other Bradbury's on my shelf; someday I'll have to read them and see how they stack up.

In any case, I'm not going to go on and on here. I have to go check in on Connor and make sure he's tucked in for the night anyway. Then I'll spend some quality "me" time - perhaps reading something new to start the New Year off right - before drifting off to sleep for the first of many New Year's in my brand new condo. Positivity!

I hope I don't get woken up at midnight by idiots doing fireworks...