A thread for my 2021 reads in case people are interested. A mixture of fiction, history, education and autobiographies.

1. Wow. Strong start. Absolutely amazing book. Completely heartbreaking at times, whilst laugh out loud funny at others. Epic, deeply personal and yet tells the story of the attitudes of a society. Couldn't put it down today as I was so gripped, hugely satisfying ending. 5/5.

2. Really wanted to love this after listening to a really good podcast with her talking about the book but found it really hard going! Would have preferred it narrated by individual rather than chronological as kept forgetting who was who! Some interesting bits though 3/5.

3. Had this young adult novel on my shelf for ages. It was ok. Really nice message about how being flawed makes us powerful. It felt a bit hunger games esque. 2.5/5

4. Really enjoyed this book for @historybookgrp Gripping accounts of life in the GDR and resistance against the Stasi. Also enjoyed reading about life from those who worked for the Stasi. Very readable and moving in parts. 4/5

5. A very silly light-hearted read. Not a fan. 1/5.

6. Not my usual sort of book at all. Started it and really wasn't sure but then I became totally gripped and loved the second half of the book. 4/5

7. Really enjoyed this and there are several bits I will come back to for CPD. The chapter on curriculum and the chapter on Instructional coaching were particularly helpful. 3.5/5

8. What a powerful book. Explores some of the divisions in the feminist movement and is a real call to arms about how we can do better. The chapter on hunger I found particularly poignant given the current situation. 4.5/5

9. Usually really like these mystery novels but wasn't gripped by this one. It was ok. 2.5/5

10. Found this a really useful little read. Lots of ideas bookmarked for future CPD discussions and also pleased to see some ideas we have already implemented. Section on curriculum was particularly good. Great list of further reading and resources at the back. 4/5

11. This was incredible. Really moving, sometimes uncomfortable but totally gripping. The comparisons to We need to talk about Kevin are fair though, very similar theme. 4.5/5

12. Had this on my shelf for ages. Didn't love it but did learn a lot about women I knew little about before e.g. Matilda 3/5

13. Absolutely superb book on school leadership and how to help teachers thrive. 5/5

14. Really enjoyed this well-rounded discussion about ageing. Made me think a lot about how ageing for a woman is seen in the media still, even though the situation is vastly improved from what it was. A challenge for women like me to start to change the narrative. 4/5

15. Enjoyed this. Liked the way it was split into sections on feedback to parents, staff and students. Found the section on IC particularly relevant to me at the moment. 4/5

16. Enjoyed this more than I thought I would. Definitely some interesting lessons which could be applied to myself as an individual, and in school - autonomy, mastery and purpose being the most important drivers of motivation. 3/5

17. Wanted to love it but didn't. Engaging at the start, lost its way in the middle but found the end satisfying. Was a bit more if a slog than I wanted 2/5

18. Enjoyed this! Very different - a story about a group of boys working in the mines. Took a while to get used to the style of writing. 3/5

19. Really well written story of poverty, addiction and abuse and the complex relationships of a family in Glasgow. I can see how well written it is but just found it so utterly depressing and lacking in hope, so struggled with it. 3/5

20. Incredible book about courageous leadership, gaining trust and being vulnerable. I want to be one of her grave, bold leaders. 10/10

21. Loved this. Really heartbreaking yet uplifting, gentle story. Felt very relevant for the feelings of loneliness during lockdown too. 4/5

22. Loved this. So much depth and background helping me understand the context of Till's murder. Fascinating links to the cold war. Really well researched. 4/5

23. Fantastic book for anyone in school leadership. Really clear strategies I will take away and embed.

24. Wanted to love it. Didn't. Found it a bit dull in all honesty. 2/5

25. Some really helpful reminders about the best strategies to support disadvantaged students. 3/5

26. Exactly as you'd expect - predictable, silly and fun. Very much a guilty pleasure and looking forward to the TV adaptation! 3/5

27. This will be so helpful for any mentors. Really well organised and researched.

28. Short, beautiful and achingly sad book written by a friend of a friend 4/5

29. Some great tips on improving teachers through a coaching analogy. Really helpful.

30. Great follow up to the Retrieval practice book. Especially loved the common mistakes section and will use the subject specific guides case studies in future department CPD. Really helpful book to take those next steps with RP.

31. From the writer of Homegoing which I adored, this is so different. A beautiful story of family love and addiction. Really well written, though not as gripping as Homegoing. 4.5/5

32. Really wanted to love this but found it quite slow. (However should be noted I'm finding reading tough at the moment). 3/5

33. Didn't connect with this like I did Radical candour. Has some interesting examples and advice for dealing with bias and prejudice in the workplace but I found this a struggle to really get into 2.5/5

34. Wow. What an incredible book. Found it really engaging, succinct and really relevant both to my personal and work life. Loved it. 5/5

35. I found Hirut's story engaging but hard to read at times. Really original story 3/5

36. Enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would. Gripping story that asks some tough questions about race and privilege 4/5

37. Couldn't put this down. As Dalcher says she hopes: I enjoyed it, it made my angry and it made me think. 5/5