It’s been a quiet year for blogging, not because of anything going on with me, but I spent the first half of 2021 drafting the first trilogy in a new series and the second half revising the first book. Although I’ve been quiet, it was a year of a lot of personal milestones (besides turning 50, there were other decades I passed through) and taking what I learned from my first series and applying it to this new one.

I read a lot of books last year. Most were new, though there were a few rereads, including Nicholas Eames’ Kings of the Wyld to put me in the mood or flavor for how I wanted to write my new fantasy series. Here are some of my favorite reads for 2021:

Nonfiction:

I read fascinating historical novels (primarily around World War II) and inspiration for writing and productivity. I found David J. Peterson’s The Art of Language Invention: From Horse-Lords to Dark Elves, the Words Behind World-Building, a fascinating read. While I can’t claim to be a conlanger, I appreciate the complexity of inventing new languages. I’m sure I will revisit this.

I also loved reading Steven Ambrose’s Band of Brothers, which is worthy to mention, even if you’ve watched the HBO mini-series. It’s led me to some other, more personal reads on that era, including Hugh Ambrose’s The Pacific and E.B. Sledge’s With the Old Breed.

Fiction:

Something of a surprise was Dan Abnett’s Eisenhorn Trilogy. While the series ends quickly and suddenly (as if the author was under a deadline), the first sentence, paragraph, and chapter hooked me right on the outset and pulled me through the entire trilogy in a matter of days. Even if you’re not a Warhammer 40K fan (which I can’t say I am, having never read or played anything in this universe), the writing will suck you into the world.

On the Indie side of things, I really enjoyed Rhett Bruno’s The Roach—a gritty, dark take on the vigilante detective (a la Batman) genre. Worth a read or better, a listen.

As always, I enjoyed something about the books I’ve read. Nonfiction always uncovers some facet that appeals, and fiction takes me on a new journey.

In 2021, I had a few goals for reading, but I’m mixing what I’ve done with my 2022 goals.

Read 80 books in 2021. I read 80 books in 2021, meeting this goal, so I’m confident I can read 82 for 2022. I’m comfortable with the amount I read, so I’m being conservative to focus more on particular goals below.

Continue to read through the Culture series. After reading Inversions, I didn’t pick up another Culture novel in 2021. I’ll try to read one this year. There are only 4 left, and each is unique. I look forward to reading another.

Read at least 20 Indie books. I didn’t come close to this mark, reading only 10 indie novels this year. I’ll try again this year with the same goal of 20 indie reads.

Read a complete epic fantasy series. Since I drafted a portal fantasy novel series in 2021, I read more fantasy and I started series. I read the prequel and the first novel of Tad Williams’ Last King of Osten Ard series, but it’s incomplete. After a somewhat sour take on The Wheel of Time Amazon Prime streaming series, I’m giving Robert Jordan’s series another try. Long story short, after being a huge fan during the writing of the series, I bailed somewhere around book 10 of what’s called ‘the slog’. I’m now well into the second book in 2022, so I’m confident I can finish one or both series in 2022. Both are traditionally published, though I continue to search through indies for a true fantasy series gem.

That’s all I have and here’s the rest of what I’ve read in 2021. I’m in the midst of revising the second book in my new series with a plan to release the trilogy this year. If you’re interested in the journey, let me know. Tell me what you’re reading by commenting this blog or just by hitting reply.