Looking Back at My 2021 Goodreads Reading Challenge: MLIS Classes, YA Fiction, and a Whole Lot of Libraries

Looking back at my 2021 Goodreads reading challenge, one thing is immediately obvious: I was very much in my library school era!

Between working through my MLIS classes and exploring different areas of librarianship, my reading list became a rather interesting combination of academic research, children's literature, young adult fiction, cozy mysteries, historical fiction, and the occasional book that had absolutely nothing to do with school. Apparently, even when I was reading for fun, I couldn't completely escape the library world.

My 2021 reading list also gives a pretty good snapshot of what I was interested in at the time. I was clearly enjoying my Children's Literature and YA classes, discovering books that would become useful in my future library career, and learning more about the history, organization, and importance of libraries.

And, of course, there were plenty of mysteries, vampires, haunted places, and murder along the way. Because apparently, a graduate student needs some variety!

The MLIS Era: Reading for School (And Actually Enjoying It!)

A significant portion of my 2021 reading was dedicated to my MLIS studies. Some of these books were definitely academic reading, but they also helped me develop a deeper appreciation for the history, purpose, and evolving role of libraries.

Books like Reading Places: Literacy, Democracy, and the Public Library in Cold War America by Christine Pawley, Foundations of the Public Library: The Origins of the Public Library Movement in New England 1629–1855 by Jesse Hauk Shera, and Libraries in the Ancient World by Lionel Casson gave me a historical perspective on how libraries developed and became such important institutions.

I also explored the more practical and technical side of librarianship with The Organization of Information by Arlene G. Taylor, RDA: Strategies for Implementation by Magda El-Sherbini, and Transforming Information Literacy Instruction Using Learner-Centered Teaching by Joan R. Kaplowitz.

And then there was The Library at Night by Alberto Manguel, which offered a more philosophical look at libraries, books, and our relationship with reading.

One of my favorite titles from this academic portion of the list was Dear Fahrenheit 451: Love and Heartbreak in the Stacks by Annie Spence. It's hard not to appreciate a book that combines humor, books, and the sometimes complicated relationship we have with the stories we read.

I also read Starting from Scratch: Building a Teen Library Program by Sarah Ludwig, which fit particularly well with my growing interest in youth services and the possibilities of creating meaningful library experiences for teenagers.

Looking at this collection now, it's clear that I wasn't just earning a degree. I was building a foundation for the kind of librarian I wanted to become.

Children's Literature and YA: Clearly a Favorite!

If there is one category that really stands out in my 2021 reading challenge, it's children's and young adult literature.

I was obviously enjoying these classes, because my reading list is filled with middle-grade novels, YA contemporary fiction, graphic novels, and books that explore identity, race, family, belonging, and social justice.

Some of the standout titles included:

• The Grand Plan to Fix Everything by Uma Krishnaswami

• American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang

• Stargazing by Jen Wang

• Ash by Malinda Lo

• The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

• Mexican WhiteBoy by Matt de la Peña

• One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia

• Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga

• When My Name Was Keoko by Linda Sue Park

• Monster by Walter Dean Myers

• The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

• Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers

• Almost to Freedom by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson

I also read Welcome Song for Baby: A Lullaby for Newborns by Richard Van Camp and The Black Book of Colors by Menena Cottin, which reminded me that children's literature encompasses so much more than traditional picture books and chapter books.

The graphic novels were another interesting part of this reading journey. March: Book One by John Lewis, American Born Chinese, and Stargazing demonstrated just how powerful visual storytelling can be, particularly when exploring complicated subjects and personal experiences.

Several of these books also challenged readers to consider whose stories are being told and whose voices are missing from traditional children's literature.

That theme was particularly evident in Was the Cat in the Hat Black?: The Hidden Racism of Children's Literature, and The Need for Diverse Books by Philip Nel. It was an important addition to my reading list and a reminder that representation in children's books matters.

I also revisited some particularly thought-provoking YA titles, including 13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher, All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven, and The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins.

Looking at this section of my reading list, I can safely say that my children's literature and YA coursework was making an impression. I wasn't simply reading these books to complete assignments; I was discovering just how much depth, complexity, and variety exists in literature written for younger audiences.

Mysteries, Murder, and Cozy Crime

Of course, not everything I read in 2021 was related to graduate school.

I also spent quite a bit of time solving fictional crimes!

Lucy Arlington's A Novel Idea Mystery series made several appearances, including Off the Books, Played by the Book, Books, Cooks, and Crooks, Every Trick in the Book, and Buried in a Book.

A mystery series centered around books and the publishing world? It was practically inevitable that I would gravitate toward these.

I also read The Purrfect Murder and Wish You Were Here by Rita Mae Brown, along with The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman.

The latter was a particularly fun addition to the year's reading. A group of retirement community residents investigating cold cases is a wonderful premise, and it combines humor with a traditional murder mystery.

On the darker side, I picked up The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix, Carrie by Stephen King, and The Killer Across the Table: Unlocking the Secrets of Serial Killers and Predators with the FBI's Original Mindhunter by John E. Douglas.

Apparently, my mystery reading preferences extended from cozy bookshop crimes all the way to serial killers and psychological horror.

A little balance is important, right?

Historical Fiction, Royals, and a Touch of the Supernatural

Another recurring theme throughout my 2021 reading challenge was my interest in history, royalty, and stories with a slightly darker edge.

Hemingway's Daughter by Christine M. Whitehead, The Hidden Diary of Marie Antoinette by Carolly Erickson, and The Royal Secret by John Bentley all explored different aspects of historical storytelling.

I also read Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith, which is exactly what it sounds like: Jane Austen meets the undead. Sometimes you just need a little literary absurdity.

My fascination with the supernatural also made an appearance through The Everything Vampire Book: From Vlad the Impaler to the Vampire Lestat by Barb Karg and A Guide to Haunted New England: Tales from Mount Washington to the Newport Cliffs by Thomas D'Agostino.

There was also Demon in My Dorm Room by Chelsea M. Campbell, adding another supernatural-themed title to the mix.

Clearly, my reading interests were not confined to one particular genre.

A Little Romance and Escapism

Graduate school reading can get pretty serious, so I also made room for romance, contemporary fiction, and books that offered a little escape.

Christina Lauren's In a Holidaze brought some holiday-themed fun, while Jenna Evans Welch's Love & Gelato and Love & Olives offered the kind of travel-inspired romantic stories that make you want to book a trip somewhere beautiful.

I also read Future Plans: A Novel by Stacy Lee, One Last Time by Beth Reekles, and Once Upon a Royal Summer by Teri Wilson.

And then there was Vagabond by Mary A.J. and the four-book Before Dawn series by K.C. King, including A Storm Before Dawn, A Journey Before Dawn, A Dream Before Dawn, and A Whisper Before Dawn, followed by When They Come For Us.

These titles added some variety to an otherwise academically heavy reading year.

Books About Books, Travel, and Everything Else

One of the things I love about looking back at a Goodreads challenge is seeing all the little interests that pop up between the more obvious reading categories.

In 2021, I read Bibliophile: An Illustrated Miscellany by Jane Mount, which is practically a celebration of being a book lover.

I also explored travel with Louisiana Off the Beaten Path: Discover Your Fun by Jackie Sheckler Finch, Frommer's EasyGuide to New Orleans 2019 by Diana K. Schwam, and 100 Places Every Woman Should Go by Stephanie Elizondo Griest.

Other nonfiction selections included Seven Wonders of Ancient Greece by Michael Woods, Girl Logic: The Genius and the Absurdity by Iliza Shlesinger, and Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates.

I even managed to squeeze in some food and lifestyle reading, including National Geographic What to Eat When, Cooking Light 400 Calorie, Slow Cooker Recipes, and Cooking Light Smoothies and Snacks.

And, because apparently there is always room for another self-improvement book, I finished Find Your Path: Honor Your Body, Fuel Your Soul, and Get Strong with the Fit52 Life by Carrie Underwood.

Looking Back at 2021

When I look at my 2021 Goodreads reading challenge as a whole, I see a year that was very much shaped by my MLIS experience.

There were academic books about library history, information organization, and information literacy. There were plenty of children's and YA books that reflected what I was learning in my coursework. There were graphic novels, diverse voices, historical fiction, mysteries, romance, horror, and even a few travel guides.

It was a year of reading widely, exploring new genres, and learning to look at books from a librarian's perspective.

I think the biggest takeaway is how much my interests overlapped. I was learning about the importance of diverse children's literature while actively reading books that expanded my understanding of different experiences. I was studying the history and purpose of public libraries while reading books about books and the people who love them. I was learning about teen programming while discovering more YA authors and titles.

And somewhere in between all those assignments, I still found time for murder mysteries, vampires, haunted New England, and romantic getaways.

Honestly, that sounds about right.

My 2021 reading challenge was a pretty accurate reflection of that chapter of my life: part graduate student, part future librarian, and always a reader who could never stick to just one genre.