Hello, everyone! I hope your week has been going well.
Today I’m going to be talking about the backlist books I want to read in 2021. Typically, every year, I make a TBR of ten-ish books I want to read that year. I very rarely actually read all ten (I read six in 2020), so I wanted to try to make this TBR books that I would actually read this year. So I kind of cheated and included a few books that I already have on hold at the library in the hopes that that will get me to read them. I also have a couple goals I wanted to keep in mind:
- I have a Goodreads shelf labelled “read soon or remove”, which are books I’m interested enough in reading but know I should read ASAP before I’m no longer interested in reading them. I always try to read a couple books from this list every year.
- I want to read at least one translated book.
- I want to prioritize books I own and marginalized authors as much as possible.
So, with those things in mind, let’s talk about the books I want to read this year! The brackets next to the titles indicate which Goodreads shelf that book is on.

The Gallery of Unfinished Girls by Lauren Karcz (queer, ebook wishlist, read soon or remove)
This has been on my TBR for AGES, and I almost removed it last year before learning it’s queer (I believe it’s a wlw relationship but don’t quote me on that). My library doesn’t have a copy, so I’m going to hopefully buy it on my Kindle. And if I don’t read it this year, I’ll probably remove it tbh.
The Nowhere Girls by Amy Reed (read soon or remove, queer)
This book is very similar to the last one: queer, been on my TBR for a while. But my library does have a copy! So hopefully I’ll read it some time soon, and will hopefully love it as much as everyone else seems to.
Ragged Company by Richard Wagamese (Canadian, owned TBR)
I got this book for Christmas this past year, and it sounds fascinating. It’s about a group of homeless individuals who find a winning lottery ticket, but have no fixed address and can’t cash the ticket. I want to continue to read more Indigenous authors, and want to read Richard Wagamese in particular, so hopefully I’ll get to this one soon!
Muse of Nightmares by Laini Taylor (owned TBR, top to-read)
I have been meaning to read this sequel for a while now, and have tried a couple of times. But it WILL happen this year, I’m speaking it into existence. I really loved Strange the Dreamer and have high hopes for this one, so hopefully I love it!
A Little Life by Hanya Yangihara (owned TBR, top to-read)
I also got this one for Christmas this year and am super excited to read it! It’s been on my top TBR for too long now, and I really need to prioritize it. Literally everyone seems to love it (someone I went to highschool with messaged me on instagram after I posted about it saying how much she loved it), so I have very high hopes.

Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 by Cho Nam-Joo (on hold at the library)
This is my translated book! It sounds super interesting, and I’ve had it on hold for a few weeks now. I still have a few weeks before I’ll get it, according to my library, so hopefully I’ll have time to read it when I get ahold of it!
Do Not Say We Have Nothing by Madeleine Thien (Canadian, owned TBR)
This sounds like such a me book, and I’m really excited to read it. I bought it for my mom a couple of years ago, and she loved it, so that’s hopefully a good sign. It’s also by a Canadian author and a woman of colour, so hopefully I love it.
From the Ashes by Jesse Thistle (Canadian)
Okay so I’ve technically already started this book. I got the audiobook from the library and listened to the first part, and then had to return it. So I’m planning on getting the audiobook again soon when I have a more normal commute, and I’ll hopefully read it!
Who Will Run the Frog Hospital? by Lorrie Moore (owned TBR, top to-read)
This was on my 2020 TBR, and has been on my top TBR for so long, AND I own a copy now. So hopefully this year will finally be the year I read it.
Ties That Tether by Jane Igharo (Canadian, BLM, on hold at the library)
This book sounds very me, and I’m really, really excited to read it. It’s by a Black Canadian author, and sounds super interesting, and my library has a copy. So I put it on hold, and will hopefully get it in the next few weeks. And hopefully I’ll love it!

So those are the books I want to read in 2021! I feel like a have a good enough variety to keep me on-track, so hopefully I’m able to read most of these!
Have you read any of these books? What were your thoughts? Which should I read first? Let me know!
Ally xx
Twitter // Instagram // Goodreads // Buy me a coffee!

I also want to read Ties That Tether this year. Great List!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It sounds so interesting! Hopefully we both love it!
Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I read Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 a few weeks ago and while I didn’t love it as much as others have, it is absolutely worth reading and a quick read as well!
I recently went through my Goodreads TBR to cull and finally decided that Muse of Nightmares just won’t happen for me. I think I waited too long.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oooh good to know!
That’s fair! Honestly, if I didn’t own a copy, I would probably do the same. It’s been at least two years since I read Strange the Dreamer, so hopefully I don’t completely forget everything!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I read Ties That Tether back in December and enjoyed it! Definitely different from most contemporary romances out there!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oooh good to know! I’m super excited for it, so glad to hear you enjoyed it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I need to read muse of nightmares too! I loved strange the dreamer but I haven’t found time yet 😔
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ahhh same! I bought Muse of Nightmares so soon after reading Strange the Dreamer, but just haven’t gotten around to it yet
LikeLiked by 1 person
YES A LITTLE LIFE
LikeLiked by 1 person
FINALLY 🎉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great list! I hope you get to read these soon!
LikeLike
I really want to Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 and Ties That Tether too, I hope you like them!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, you as well!
LikeLike
I hope you love A Little Life! It’s (possibly) my favorite book of all time
LikeLike
Strange the Dreamer (and Muse of Nightmares) has been on my TBR for aaaaages. I know so many people love it, I don’t know why I can’t get my butt in gear 😂
LikeLike