End of year ramblings by Dru Ann Love

It’s my turn to post and I have no idea what to talk about.

Many people are putting out their top or best list. I did it last year and found it was very hard to pick 10 books and in the back of my head, I don’t want to disappoint my author friends. Like last year, Kaye Barley asked us what books we liked in 2021 and click here (you’ll have to scroll) to see my list.

Due to the current situation that shall remain nameless and due to medical issues, my reading has struggled. In the past, I would have read over 300 books. This year, I read 200. In checking my blog data, I did 35 cover reveals, I introduced 58 new-on-my-blog authors to my readers and published 79 musings. I also introduced a new feature, “word with the author” and it’s a fun way to learn about the authors.

This year I continue to read mostly cozy mysteries as well as traditional mysteries with a smattering of thrillers, domestic suspense, and yes, I read one historical, one magical realism, and one rom-com. I do enjoy Heather Webber’s and Jenn McKinlay’s writing. Are you still reading the same genre, or have you left your comfort zone?

The funny thing about the books I’m eager to read is despite my love of cozy mysteries, the books I’m eager to read are non-cozies. What is up with that? Oh the 2022 books I’m eager to read are of course, Abandoned in Death and Desperation in Death by J.D. Robb, and then Kellye Garrett’s Like A Sister, The Locked Room by Elly Griffiths, and The Hidden One by Linda Castillo. But then again when I look down my list, there are a few cozies with a wedding theme that I’m eager to read, Wedding Bell Blues by Lynn Cahoon and Murder in a Cape Cottage by Maddie Day. Then there is a slew of cozy mysteries that are too many to list that’s on my list, one in particular, Muddled Through by Barbara Ross, which I can’t wait to see what happens next with Julia. What books are you looking to read in 2022?

What else can I talk about?

Oh, I miss attending reader/fan conventions and I truly, truly hope that we can finally gather in 2022. I’m already registered for Left Coast Crime, Malice Domestic (where I’m fan guest of honor), and Bouchercon. Are you planning to attend?

I hope everyone have a Happy New Year.

8 replies
  1. Elaine N.
    Elaine N. says:

    I'm registered for Bouchercon but have to cancel because Ottawa Comic Con is the same weekend. I'm registered for Malice but as of now there are no longer direct flights, it's Passover and though I can bring food across the border, I can't bring ice packs so the food could go bad, I'd probably have to spend a good part of Thursday searching for a test so I can go back home and if I have to use my credit card everywhere there's exchange and a percentage for using the card in a foreign country (but I'll probably go). Books – whatever requests come in from the library.

  2. Donnell Ann Bell
    Donnell Ann Bell says:

    Dru, I am astounded that you read 200 books. I also love that you refuse to name that with which we are all struggling with. My goodness, there are so many books I have on my TBR books. Many books on psychology and cryptocurrency to name a couple. I love thrillers and mysteries, so those top the ranks of what I'll be reading this year. I just finished Barbara Nickless's At First Light. Looking forward to Book Two. M.E. Browning will have another book out, Margaret Mizushima, Maddie Cobb series, and anything by Tess Gerritsen. I've also become hooked on books on tape for my road trips. This year I listened to Alicia Beckhamn's Bitteroot Lake, John Grisham, The Judge's List, Hank Phillippi Ryan's, The Murder List, Tess Gerritsen and Gary Braver's Choose Me, Darynda Jones, Beguiled, and Sandra Brown's Blind Tiger. I'm very excited about Lois Winston's next book, which she hasn't finished, but lets just say I can't wait how she plans to pull off her next Anastasia Pollack caper. I've left so many out, but these are the ones off the top of my head — nowhere near 200. I'm in awe!

  3. Kathryn Lane
    Kathryn Lane says:

    WOW!! I felt good that I read 52 books in 2022. 200 to 300 is an incredible accomplishment. Wish I could do it.

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