Favorite Books of the last half decade

and why reading too many books isn't that cool

In 2021, I made a goal to read 52 book— one book a week. Now, I have always considered myself a bookworm, but this was intense, especially with a day job and a personality that leans more extroverted than introverted. My most focused moments for great reading time have really only been on planes and long walks (audiobooks on walks). Lo and behold, I did it. 29752038902 steps later and a United status to prove it.

Not surprisingly, I wouldn’t recommend. I ended up finishing meh books that I never would have finished reading otherwise, I sped read and lost some reading comprehension skills, and missed out on a year of listening to my favorite podcasts and music. Books are meant to reduce stress and increase memory and concentration skills, but I likely discovered where the bell curve starts falling. I’ve stuck with my standard 20ish books a year since.

That being said, gems have be discovered. Here are my favorite books I’ve read in the last 5 years, ordered by category. Shoutout to Goodreads for helping me keep record, Books Inc for supplying physical books and the San Francisco Public Library + Libby app for audiobooks.

Favorite Memoirs

Other favorite non-fiction

Favorite Fictions

happy reading.

xx Lauren

Edit: I incorrectly put Yellow Crocus in non-fiction. It’s, in fact, a damn good historical fiction.