2022 Reading Plan

Goal: read more 5 stars books

I rated 17 of 79 (22%) books I read in 2021 as 5 stars. I'd like to increase that to 25%... but how? Here's my strategy:

1. Read more titles from authors I previously rated 5 or 4 stars

2. Read titles recommended based on books I've rated 5 or 4 stars

3. Continue to abandon books that are going to end up being rated 3 stars or less

Authors I rated highly (not including Children's books)

1. Brené Brown
2. Emmanuel Acho
3. Greg McKeown
4. Kristin Hannah
5. Lisa Scottoline
6. Michael Floyd
7. Philip Houston
8. Rebecca Eanes 
9. Richard Sheridan
10. Ryan Hawk
11. Susan Carnicero
12. Tiffany Shlain

Recommended Titles

Using Goodreads' "Readers Also Enjoyed" feature

Non-Fiction

1. A Place For Everything: The Curious History of Alphabetical Order, by Judith Flanders
2. Dog Flowers: A Memoir, by Danielle Geller
3. Flipnosis: The Art of Split-Second Persuasion, by Kevin Dutton
4. Getting to Know YOU: Embrace Your Unique Blueprint to Make Decisions you Love and Trust - A Human Design Guidebook, by Karen Flaherty
5. Gratitude Daily: 21 Days to More Joy and Less Stress, by Nataly Kogan
6. How to Lead When You're Not in Charge: Leveraging Influence When You Lack Authority, by Clay Scroggins
7. How to Raise Kind Kids: And Get Respect, Gratitude, and a Happier Family in the Bargain, by Thomas Lickona
8. How to Spot a Liar: A Practical Guide to Speed Read People, Decipher Body Language, Detect Deception, and Get to The Truth, by James W. Williams
9. How to Stop Losing Your Sh*t with Your Kids: A Practical Guide to Becoming a Calmer, Happier Parent, by Carla Naumburg
10. The Science of Kissing: What Our Lips Are Telling Us, by Sheril Kirshenbaum
11. What Happened To You?: Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing, by Bruce D. Perry
12. You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life, by Jen Sincero

Fiction

1. Before She Knew Him, by Peter Swanson
2. Color Me In, by Natasha Diaz
3. Invisible Girl, by Lisa Jewell
4. Klara and the Sun, by Kazuo Ishiguro
5. The Daughters of Erietown, by Connie Schultz
6. The End of Her, by Shari Lapena
7. The Girl from Widow Hills, by Megan Miranda
8. The Liar's Wife, by Samantha Hayes
9. The Marriage of Opposites, by Alice Hoffman
10. The Plot, by Jean Hanff Korelitz
11. The Rib King, by Ladee Hubbard
12. The Wives, by Tarryn Fisher
13. Transcendent Kingdom, by Yaa Gyasi

What's your strategy for reading more "5 stars" books?

2021 Reading List in Review

My initial list had 111 titles. I set my Goodreads goal at 80 and will hit that as I currently have 3 books in progress (which is normal for me).

My 2021 list consisted mostly of what I considered 4 star ratings. 3 stars meant it was ok - I wouldn't recommend it but some might like it. 2 stars and 1 star were usually abandoned - I left at least 9 books unfinished this year.

My 5 star books were:

Non-Fiction

The Gift of a Happy Mother: Letting Go of Perfection and Embracing Everyday Joy, by Rebecca Eanes 

Chief Joy Officer: How Great Leaders Elevate Human Energy and Eliminate Fear, by Richard Sheridan

Welcome to Management: How to Grow from Top Performer to Excellent Leader, by Ryan Hawk

The Gifts of Imperfection, by Brené Brown

The Power of Vulnerability: Teachings of Authenticity, Connections and Courage, by Brené Brown 

Uncomfortable Conversations With a Black Man, by Emmanuel Acho

24/6: Giving up screens one day a week to get more time, creativity, and connection, by Tiffany Shlain

Spy the Lie: Three Former CIA Officers Reveal Their Secrets to Uncloaking Deception, by Philip Houston, Michael Floyd, Susan Carnicero

Effortless: Make It Easier to Do What Matters Most, by Greg McKeown

Fiction

The Four Winds, by Kristin Hannah

Eternal, by Lisa Scottoline

Children's

The Librarian's Stories, by Lucy Falcone, Anna Wilson 

Can I Give You a Squish? by Emily Neilson

Don't Hug Doug (He Doesn't Like It), by Carrie Finison, Daniel Wiseman 

Shin-chi's Canoe, by Nicola I. Campbell, Kim LaFave 

Shi-shi-etko, by Nicola I. Campbell, Kim LaFave

Nibi's Water Song, by Sunshine Tenasco, Chief Lady Bird