We are almost there. The year is almost up, which means it is time to talk about the best books of 2021. The books that made me excited, scared, or giddy with joy. I want to talk about the books that made an impact on me this year!
There were so many fantastic book releases in 2021. Of course, I didn’t read a single one of them… Nevertheless, 2021 was a fantastic year for books, and 2022 is looking to be just as great!
Related: January 2022 Book Releases
Related: February 2022 Book Releases
I wasn’t able to read as many books as I wanted this year. Here is a screenshot of my Goodreads Reading Challenge.
I don’t think I will be reading 16 more books in one day… I am pretty sure that is impossible. But despite my low reading year, I still wanted to highlight some of the best books I read this year! Here are my best books of 2021!
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Best Books of 2021
The Poppy War by R. F. Kuang
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The Poppy War by R. F. Kuang was my top read of the year. The world-building and characters made it stand out to me, I flew through this book. I never wanted to put it down and I am excited to read the other two books in the series.
This book is about Rin, who attends the most prestigious military academy in the country. Until war breaks out and she must apply everything she learns in the classroom to real situations. Oh, and she has the ability to pull magic from the gods and communicate with them.
This was a stellar debut novel that is sure to be a favorite in the fantasy genre!
Tender is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica
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This book is only on this list because of how gross I felt after reading it. Agustina Baztericda was able to take such a grotesque plot, in Tender is the Flesh, and still make me want to read it.
This book is set in a society that can no longer eat meat because of a disease that plagues animals. So instead, they decide to eat other humans. They raise humans for slaughter. I was gagging at every other page, this is truly a horror novel.
Definitely look at the trigger warnings before diving into this novel!
One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus
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Although I have always loved the idea of mysteries, I have never read many until this year. One of the best was One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus. This book had me excited to read each chapter just so I could have the answers to all the problems that the characters faced.
This book is about four students who were present during the death of another student, Simon. Because of this, they are all suspects in his murder.
While reading this, you spend the entire time wondering who actually did it. I was truly shocked by the ending, although some people weren’t!
Punching the Air by Ibi Zoboi and Yusef Salaam
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I read Punching the Air by Ibi Zoboi and Yusef Salaam early in the year, and I am still thinking about it to this day. It was a powerful narrative that is relevant to today’s society.
This book follows sixteen-year-old Amal, who has been wrongfully convicted of a crime he did not commit. In this story, you watch as a system that is built to harm people of color steal the life of a teenager, and the despair that this causes for Amal.
This book was written in verse, and it was one of the most beautiful books I read this year. I think Amal, as a character, is going to stick with me for a long time.
Lumberjanes, Volume 1 by Noelle Stevenson, Grace Ellis, and Shannon Watters
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The only graphic novel on my best books of 2021 list this year is Lumberjanes. This is the type of story that will put a huge smile on your face. The cast of characters was a pleasure to read.
This graphic novel is about a group of campers at a summer camp. While they are trying to do normal camp activities like boating and campfire stories, dangerous magic starts to creep in, threatening to overtake their fun summer.
I loved the art style, characters, and story of this graphic novel. I will definitely be reading the other volume in the future.
The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yoko Ogawa
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This is probably the quietest and most subtle book on this list. The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yoko Ogawa might not have a big plot and a lot of adventure, like most of the books I read, but the mood and characters make it enjoyable.
The story of this book is about an old professor, who only has a memory of exactly eighty minutes and the housekeeper who takes care of him. Throughout the book, a beautiful relationship forms.
Overall, this book was melancholic, subtle, and sweet. As the first book I read this year, it set the bar for the rest of my reading.
Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan
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Before I read Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan, I had heard a lot of mixed reviews. Some people loved it while others were indifferent to it. For me, I was a fan. This story was interesting to read and the characters were complete and developed. That is my kind of fantasy novel!
This story is about 8 girls who were chosen by the king to be his personal consorts. However this year, there are 9. Lei has been raised in the paper cast but has fire within her, which is why she is picked as the ninth girl. However, while at the palace Lei does something against the rules, she falls in love.
I loved this story, and I was intrigued the entire time. I want to reread this book so I can get to the other 2 books in the series in 2022.
The Grace Year by Lim Liggett
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As you may know, I am a huge dystopian fan. So I was intrigued when I heard that The Grace Year by Kim Leggett was a part of this genre. And let’s just say, I was not disappointed!
This story follows Tierney, who is sixteen now. And in Garner county, that means she must be sent on her grace year. This is a year that all women spend in isolation to lose their magic. However, while there, Tierney realizes that there may be more to the story.
I loved the world that Liggett builds in the book. It was so unique and different from anything I have ever read before. I also love how it leaves a little bit up to mystery with the somewhat unfinished ending. It lets you use some creativity to decide what happens to these characters.
A Song Below Water by Bethany C. Morrow
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I was initially drawn into A Song Below Water by Bethany C. Morrow from the author’s description of it during a panel at this year’s YALLWEST, and I was not disappointed.
This story follows Tavia, a siren who keeps her identity a secret because the world is scared of her, and Effie, who is being haunted by her past. These two get through high school drama, romance, and magical intrigue together.
There were a lot of beautiful moments in this story. The main things I loved were the two main characters and their relationship. I can’t wait to read more from them in the sequel.
Eliza and Her Monsters by Francesca Zappia
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I was never much of a contemporary reader, but Eliza and her Monsters by Francesca Zappia was definitely a favorite this year. I adored the characters and the relationship that blooms between them.
This story is about Eliza, who is the artist behind a famous online comic, “Monstrous Sea.” She is a quiet character, who doesn’t have many friends in the real world until she meets Wallace, who is a huge fan of her comic. Except he doesn’t know she is the one who creates it because she posts anonymously.
This story has so much heart, I couldn’t help but smile through the ending. It also portrays a very interesting family dynamic that was great to read. Because in the end, people she didn’t think she could rely on ended up being her biggest supporters.
American Royals by Katharine McGee
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I am a sucker for a royal story, so when I heard that American Royals by Katharine McGee was about America if they were still being run by royals, I immediately checked it out from my local library, and I wasn’t disappointed.
This book is set in an America that is ruled by a monarchy. It follows Beatrice, the next in line to the throne, Sam and Jefferson, her younger siblings, Nina, Sam’s BFF, and Daphane, a social climber. With these characters, a lot of drama ensues!
This book is like a reality TV show about royals. All the drama and relationships were everything I have ever wanted from a royalty book. I have already started the sequel, and I am loving the drama just as much. But I don’t think it will end the way most people want it to…
I may not have read as many books as I wanted to in 2021, but I found a lot of enjoyment in the books I was able to read. Isn’t that what’s most important anyway?
I am looking forward to what I am going to read next year. I always start the year off with so much motivation to read, so I am excited to have that feeling again. It is always fun when I feel like doing something that brings me joy!
Stay tuned tomorrow for my post of 22 books I want to read in 2022!
Thanks for another amazing year with this blog! My 6 year anniversary is coming up next month! It has been a fun time in the bookish online community, I can’t wait for more! One more day until 2022!
KUDOS to you on a killer reading year! I feel like I read sooo many excellent novels this past year. I am really happy I found this post because now I have about 10 more I need to check out – lol. My #1 recommendation is “Dark Truths” by Tess Thompson. It was my favorite read of 2021 and it’s a whole series too (each book can be read on it’s own though).
It follows Sheriff Jonas Clearwater and a chance encounter he has with the beautiful writer Peyton Patel. Even though there was an undeniable connection they go their separate ways until the murder of a mutual friend brings them back together again. Their friend, Cecil, a true crime author, was researching the murder of three women in New Mexico and soon after was found dead. Jonas is heading the investigation and soon begins to believe that Peyton might be in danger too. It’s an exciting whodunnit for sure and the will they won’t they energy between Peyton and Jonas is fun too. Here is the link (in case you want to check out any of the other books in the series) (https://sisterswritingcrime.blogspot.com/) Love love love this book! All should read. Happy 2022!
Wow, thank you so much for this book recommendation! I have been looking for a new series to start and this one sounds perfect for me! I am a huge fan of crime novels and thriller-type books! I will definitely be checking this one out!