Every year, Sheila of Book Journey hosts First Book of the Year, collecting photos of readers and their first books and putting them together in a cool collage. (Be sure and click on the link to see what everyone else is reading!)
As I began to see other bloggers posting their First Book choices for the New Year a week or so ago, I felt a panic set in. What would I read?! My daughter and husband refused to help, even when I got down on my hands and knees and begged (okay, so I didn't take it quite that far). I decided I should just pick something light and fun. And why not? With the kind of year 2020 was and the kind of year 2021 is starting out as . . . I need all the escape I can get. Perhaps a sultry romance or a rom-com . . .
So, when I held up the two books I had narrowed my choice down to, my husband just stared at me and shook his head. Because of course I went in an entirely direction.
My First Read of 2021:
The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See
"I am super excited about my First Read this year. Lisa See is not only one of my favorite authors, but I have heard nothing but good things about The Island of Sea Women. I find these type of stories about women inspiring. I know it will break my heart, but it will be worth it."
Anjin's First Read of 2021:
Pulp by Ed Brubaker & Sean Phillips
"I picked Pulp because I have a better than even chance of finishing it before the end of the year."
Mouse's First Read of 2021:
The Cinderella Ballet Mystery (Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew #4) by Carolyn Keene
"I really like Nancy Drew mysteries and because I do ballet."
I hope you all have a very Peaceful and Healthy New Year! Stay safe and well.
© 2021, Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.
I so wish I was your daughter's age when I first read Nancy Drew. Sigh... You have to be her age to just get swept up in all that detecting hype. Try to read it in your 40's for the first time, nope.
ReplyDeleteI've also only heard great things about The Island of See Women! It does sound wonderful.
Happy New Year and may the new year be fills with awesome books.
Elza Reads
Mareli (Elza) - I loved Nancy Drew books when I was growing up, although I think I was older than my daughter when I got into them. Of course, I was reading the original series and they were for an older audience. I've always loved mysteries. Still do. :-)
DeleteI'm liking Th Island of the Sea Women so far. Hopefully I can devote some time today to reading so I can make a good dent in the novel!
Wish you a Happy New Year as well!
I hope you all enjoy reading your first picks!
ReplyDeleteWishing you a happy and healthy new year
Shelleyrae - Thank you! I hope so too!I hope you have a happy and healthy New Year as well.
DeleteHappy New Year, Wendy! I've heard a lot of good things about Lisa See's books so I think that's a great choice for "First Book of the Year". Hope you and your family enjoy your first read and that this year will be a better year in all aspects.
ReplyDeleteMelody - Same to you, dear friend! I just know I'm not going to get through The Island of Sea Women without tearing up.
DeleteI love the family FIRST BOOK pics so sweet; happy reading and enjoy.
ReplyDeleteDiane - I was so excited when they agreed to take part this year. LOL The last time I got them to participate was in 2017, I think, and my mom joined in that time too.
DeleteLovely to see all of your first picks for the year. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteDeb - Happy and healthy New Year to you too!
DeleteIs there a newer run of Nancy Drew books? or did they just redesign all the covers? My oldest was into Nancy Drew years ago- read mostly the originals- and I remember the characters looking like older teens, and some of the language! I was surprised at the words he asked me to explain. From that cover it looks like the book would have a totally different tone
ReplyDeleteJeane - This is a newer series written for children. I believe Nancy Drew is 8 in the series my daughter is reading. More middle grade fare.
DeleteI love it that Mouse is reading Nancy Drew. Loved them a a young reader. I have not read Lisa See in awhile. Looking forward to your thoughts. Happy New Year to you all!
ReplyDeleteNise' - She really likes Nancy Drew--and now that there is a series for a younger audience, they pull them in even younger! I hope you have a Happy New Year as well.
DeleteLooks like some good choices for the first read of 2021. I am listening to Cress by Marissa Meyer. This is for a challenge, but it is one I have had on my TBR for quite awhile. I am about halfway through it and loving it.
ReplyDeleteCarla - Thank you! I still need to read the second book in the Lunar Chronicles. I enjoyed Cinder. I hope you are enjoying Cress!
DeleteI love it that your family participated! Great books. Happy new year!
ReplyDeleteTina
Tina - I was so glad I could twist their arms to take part this year. :-) Wishing you a happy and healthy New Year as well.
DeleteI'm starting off with The Tenth Muse by Catherine Chung. Here's hoping it's a good one! And here's hoping 2021 is a happy year for you and your family. :D
ReplyDeleteLark - I hope you are enjoying The Tenth Muse! It sounds like it will be good. Wishing you a better New Year.
DeleteLove this!! I'm reading Whatever It Takes by S. Jones for a blog tour :D
ReplyDeleteMaureen - I hope you are enjoying Whatever It Takes!
DeleteIt's so much fun to see everyone's First Book! I hope it's a good one. I loved Island of the Sea Women.
ReplyDeleteHelen - I am glad to hear you loved The Island of Sea Women. So far so good, but it's still early. I hope you are enjoying your first read!
DeleteWhat a great post and how fun to see all the 'first books' at your house. OK, that Miss Mouse - she's growing up! Wendy, how are you allowing that? Ha! Anyway, I think you'll love your first book. I loved it when I read it. So very interesting and about a group of women that I was unfamiliar with. Enjoy! And Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteKay - She's growing way too fast. She's a tween already--and has the attitude to go with it. LOL She's a great kid. I am glad to hear you loved The Island of Sea Women. I hope I will too! Have a healthy and happy New Year.
DeleteI love that your whole family joined in with this one. I haven't read anything yet this year and am not sure what I will pick up later today. I guess I am not much of a planner :)
ReplyDeleteCarole - I am glad I could talk them into it. :-) I really struggle with what to pick as my first book. My husband reminds me it doesn't matter every time. LOL
DeleteYou all have great looking books! I fondly remember the Nancy Drew series from my younger years.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your books, and thanks for visiting my blog.
Laurel-Rain - Thank you! Mouse is enjoying the middle grade Nancy Drew series. It's fun to see her excited about characters I grew up reading about--even if modernized and younger.
DeleteHappy New Year, Wendy! How much I wish I was reading Nancy Drew for the first time! Love that your daughter is now in that phase. I think you picked a great book to start the year. I haven't read it but I love Lisa See's books. And how awesome that you husband joined in too!
ReplyDeleteAthira - She enjoys reading mysteries. I am glad she likes Nancy Drew too. :-) I hope you have a great New Year.
DeleteThis is so cute! I hope you all enjoy your first reads😁
ReplyDeleteTammy - Thank you!
DeleteI absolutely love that your whole family joined in and I love Mouse's choice. I was a huge Nancy Drew fan when I was her age and couldn't get enough of them. Your choice is somewhere on my shelf and it looks gorgeous. I can't wait to see your thoughts on it.
ReplyDeleteKatherine - She has good taste. :-) It only took a minimal amount of arm twisting to get them to agree to participate this year. :-)
DeleteAll the books sound very good! I hope you three enjoy them!
ReplyDeleteEustacia - Thank you! I hope we will too!
DeleteThis is awesome! I love how you made First Read of the year into a family affair. Hope your reads are awesome. I'm looking forward to what you think of the Lisa See book.
ReplyDeleteIliana - It took surprisingly little convincing. :-)
DeleteI love that you all chose books. Enjoy!! Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteTi - I am glad I talked them into it. :-) Happy New Year to you as well!
DeleteI completely lost track of your books when I saw that picture of Mouse! I know that she's growing up but in my head she's still a tiny little girl; not any more!
ReplyDeleteLisa - Yes, she's not a little girl anymore. As she reminds me every time I call her my little girl, she's a tween now. LOL
DeleteLove, love, love that all three of you participated!
ReplyDeleteStacy - I am glad I could convince everyone to take part. I don't think Mouse ever did read her choice. At least not yet. She's been reading other stuff.
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