Celebrating Two Years of Page Turners: Top 10 Articles of the Past Year

Need something to read? Pick up the first in a mystery series. 

This week is my second anniversary of this Page Turners column. I grateful that I have this place to share my passion for reading with others. Thanks so much to those who read it weekly and to those who comment or email or text me with their thoughts about a book or a particular column. These messages always make my day when I receive them.

For Page Turners, each week I highlight books and/or authors in some manner: year-end and summer round-ups, my favorites in a particular genre such as historical fiction or mystery series, an author Q & A, fun author events happening around Houston or, during this pandemic, online via Zoom or Facebook Live. Occasionally, I will feature trends in the book world such as bookstagrammers and podcasters or some other movement that is gaining traction. This past year has been more difficult with the pandemic continuing to rage, but I am hopeful that soon we will start to see more in-person events again so that I can cover them again.

Since it has been another year, I thought it would be fun to look back at the 10 most popular columns written within the last 12 months measured by the amount of views each one received. I enjoyed reflecting on each one and determined that my articles about the best books in a genre, the two mystery series columns, cookbooks, and seasonal reading seem to be the most popular. 

Mystery series: Both mystery columns made the top 10 for my first and second anniversaries which makes me happy. Clearly another update will be coming this fall.   

Mystery series, part 2: For this Page Turners article, I wrote about my favorite mystery series set in foreign locales updated one year later. As I mentioned above, these are well received so I look forward to revisiting this one again soon.

There are still so many compelling World War II stories to be told. Cindy Burnett features some historical-fiction standouts set during this time period. 

Historical fiction set during WWII: There are so many books coming out about World War 2 this year, so it does not surprise me at all that this column is in the top 10. People love reading about this conflict, and there are still so many stories to be told.

Cookbook with Texas connections: This wonderful cookbook about Matthew Wendel’s time cooking for the George W. Bush family is unique and makes a great gift. The Texas connection is particularly appealing.

Best books of 2020 by genre: Year-end round ups are my favorite so it makes sense that this column about my favorites reads of 2020 by genre would make the top 10.

Cindy Burnett writes about her favorite 2020 nonfiction books. 

Best nonfiction of 2020: I found myself reading a lot more nonfiction during the pandemic so it is only fitting that this column was a popular one. I am continuing this trend so I will be curious to see where this year’s column lands next year.

Q&A with Houston author Katharine McGee: Houstonian Katharine McGee’s author Q&A about her much-anticipated sequel to American Royals hit the top 10 no doubt because those books are so popular.

Celebrating one year of Page Turners: I have to say I was happy to see this one in the top 10 since I am always interested myself to see which articles land with people and which do not. It is nice to know other people do as well.

Check out these fabulous summer reading lists to find a book to bring to the pool or the beach.

Summer reading lists of 2021: People have more time to read in the summer, so I find that Summer Reading Recommendation lists always resonate with readers.

Books to look forward to in 2021: In addition to “Best Books of the Year” lists, I love “Most Anticipated” lists because I enjoy looking ahead to learn about what is coming out in the next season.

As always, I love to read your comments, emails, and texts so keep them coming please! For more book recommendations, you can also read my Buzz Reads column where I select 5 top picks for each month. 

For more book recommendations and bookish thoughts, see Cindy’s monthly Buzz Reads column, her Thoughts from a Page Podcast or follow @ThoughtsFromaPage on Instagram. Find upcoming Conversations from a Page events here.