Prof KRG

A practical resource for student journalists.

  • Journalism
    • Quotables
    • Nerd Notes
  • Leadership
    • Pub Manual 101 Series
  • Jobs & Internships
  • Readings
    • Prof KRG’s Bookstore
    • Nonfiction
    • Fiction
    • 2021 Reading List
    • 2020 Reading List
    • 2019 Reading List
    • 2018 Reading List
    • 2017 Reading List
    • 2016 Reading List
    • 2015 Reading List
    • 2014 Reading List
    • 2013 Reading List
    • Course Book Recommendations
    • Blogs Worth Reading
    • Podcasts Worth Hearing

31 Books I Quit in 2020

January 20, 2021 by Kenna Griffin

It seemed difficult to concentrate in 2020. I discussed this with friends and others online, so I know I’m not the only one who couldn’t seem to focus on much among the racial injustice, civil unrest, political chaos and the pandemic.

Just like many of you, I assumed being stuck at home would mean I would read a lot more, and I did. I finished the year having read 150 books for only the second time ever. But I also watched a ton more television than usual and dropped more books than in past years.

I quit 31 books in 2020. That’s 11 more books than I quit in 2019. I quit 16 books in 2017. I can’t find a list from 2018 for some reason. Maybe I just quit the list too.

I think life is too short to read bad books, so I have no problem quitting a book I hate, but 31 books in a year is clearly a lot, even for me. I was questioned about dropping some of these books because others loved them. That’s ok! Pretty much everything I read is highly recommended. Just because it doesn’t grab my attention doesn’t mean you don’t love it.

books I dropped in 2020

Here are the 31 books I dropped in 2020:

  1. Furious Hours: Murder, Fraud, and the Last Trial of Harper Lee
  2. The Power of Self-Compassion
  3. A Mother’s Secret
  4. I’m Thinking of Ending Things. I also tried to watch this Netflix show, since I heard it was really good. I didn’t finish it either.
  5. The Better Liar
  6. They All Fall Down
  7. Influencer: Building Your Personal Brand in the Age of Social Media
  8. Girls on Fire
  9. Case Histories
  10. Wall of Silence
  11. The New Husband
  12. Inside Jobs: Tales for a Time of Quarantine
  13. Joyful: The Surprising Power of Ordinary Things to Create Extraordinary Happiness
  14. Willing to Die
  15. How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy
  16. Don’t Turn Around
  17. The Lucky One
  18. These Women
  19. 21 Lessons for the 21st Century
  20. Catherine House
  21. The Cabin
  22. Rules for Vanishing
  23. The Leaving
  24. The Silent Wife
  25. The Most Powerful You: 7 Bravery Boosting Paths to Career Bliss
  26. Keep Moving: Notes on Loss, Creativity, and Change
  27. The Searcher
  28. Sweet Little Lies
  29. The Darkest Evening
  30. Leave the World Behind
  31. Forgiving What You Can’t Forget: Discover How to Move On, Make Peace with Painful Memories, and Create a Life That’s Beautiful Again

Not for everyone

These are the 31 books I quit without finishing in 2020. I am aware that some of these books were highly touted, but they just didn’t grab my attention.

What do you think about the list? Is there something here you truly think I should reconsider?

As always, happy reading!

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Related Posts:

  • My 20 Favorite Nonfiction Books of 2020
    My 20 Favorite Nonfiction Books of 2020
  • My 37 Favorite Fiction Books of 2020
    My 37 Favorite Fiction Books of 2020
  • 25 Thrillers to Consider Reading While Self Isolating
    25 Thrillers to Consider Reading While Self Isolating
Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above (typically those to books) may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I promise that I only recommend products or services I use personally and think will provide you value. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Subscribe

Connect

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Prof KRG

Prof KRG aims to create an ongoing educational dialogue among media professionals, students and educators.

Please let me know what resources you need or topics you wish you better understood. If I don't know the information, I'm happy to seek out someone who does.

Contact me via email at kennagriffin@gmail.com.

Quotables

“Writing is easy. All you have to do is cross out the wrong words.”

— Mark Twain

Pinterest

Follow Kenna's board ProfKRG.com on Pinterest.

About Kenna Griffin

I am a mass communications professor, journalist and collegiate media adviser. I teach classes including those on writing, reporting, media law, media ethics, social media marketing, and public relations. I am married, have two children and live in Oklahoma. More about this site's purpose

The archive

Prof KRG Insider

  • About
  • Contact
  • Social Media Policies
  • Syllabuses
  • My Toolbox

Copyright© 2021, Kenna Griffin