My Favorite Books of 2021
One of my favorite things to do at the end of the year is look back on all of the books I read. It’s fun to reflect on what I loved reading, what I didn’t, things I learned and ways I grew. I read a lot more than I thought I would (Goodreads says 190 books, but that incudes books I didn’t finish and short stories, so those numbers are certainly skewed).
I tried to branch out and read more varied genres this year. In some sense I was successful. My top genres were still middle grade and classics (the same as 2020), but I also tried some sci-fi and read quite a bit of nonfiction. In 2022, I hope to expend my reading even more, particularly with historical nonfiction. If you’d like to hear more about my reading goals for next year, check out this video (I have been much more active on my YouTube channel than I have on this blog).
Reading Stats
Books Read: 190
Pages Read: 55,527
Favorite New Authors: Dodie Smith, Louisa May Alcott
Most Read Genres: Middle grade, classic literature
Least Read Genres: Contemporary and Sci-Fi
Shortest Book: Christmas by Injunction by O. Henry – 3 pages
Longest Book: Les Miserables by Victor Hugo – 1,463 pages (still proud of this one)
Average Star Rating: 3.8 stars
Reading Challenges Completed: Read Your Bookshelf Challenge (more details here), Classics TBR (check out that video here).
See my full reading year on goodreads here
Top 12 Books (Because I Can't Only Choose 10)
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#12 - The Wednesday Wars
This book managed to encompass so much of what it means to be a middle schooler while exploring tough topics like racism, strained family dynamics, war and events that shook the country (such as Martin Luther King Jr’s assassination). It follows Holling Hoodhood, a young boy starting the 7th grade. He is convinced that his new teacher is out to get him and that he’s going to have the worst school year ever.
I loved the relationship that develops between Holling and his teacher. The way Mrs. Baker invests in him and introduces him to Shakespeare is wonderful. There wasn’t one thing I didn’t absolutely adore about this book. I laughed and cried multiple times. It has a sequel, but I haven’t read it yet. I’m nervous that I’ll be let down after how much I loved the first book.
#11 - The Nightingale
The Nightingale follows two sisters, Vianne and Isabel, who live in France while it is being invaded by the Germans in World War 2. Vianne is the oldest, a mother and a rule follower, believing that if they just sit tight and don’t disturb the Germans, eventually the government and military will break through and drive the Germans out. Isabelle is a rebel and will stop at nothing to thwart the Nazis and stand up to them, even when it endangers her (and her family’s) life.
I loved the exploration of the two sisters. I fully related to one of them, even though I could see the merits of the other. While it is brutal and heartbreaking at times, there is such beautiful redemption at the end.
Content Warning: There is sexual assault in this book. I tend to avoid books that feature any detail on those sorts of things. This had a little, but it wasn’t incredibly detail. Still, some may want to avoid this book for that reason.
#10 - Jurassic Park
I’m sure most people are familiar with the premise of Jurassic Park, due to the popular movie franchise. The book has some notable differences, but I loved it even more than the movie! I read this with a group of people and some preferred the movie for nostalgic reasons. I’m typically not a sci-fi person, but the science in Jurassic Park was both understandable and believable.
Content Warning: This book is quite a bit more gory than the movies, although I didn’t find it over the top. There is also a LOT of language in the book, though most of it is mild curse words.
#9 - Ella Enchanted
Ella Enchanted is one of the best Cinderella retellings I have ever read! I am a sucker for fairytale retellings and this one was the best of the best in 2021. It follows Ella, who at birth was given the “gift” of obedience by a well-meaning fairy. This “gift” means Ella has to obey any order given to her, no matter what. As you might imagine, this doesn’t always yield the best results, particularly after her cruel stepmother and stepsisters become part of her life. Ella goes on a quest to find the fairy who cursed her, to convince her to remove the spell.
Unlike most books, the romance in this sweet middle grade was one of my favorite parts. One of the dumbest things in the original Cinderella is that the prince falls in love, but never caught the girl’s name and can’t remember even one detail about her. In this retelling, Ella and the prince grow up together and are friends. The romance makes more sense and the ending is perfect in every way. There was a movie adaptation made quite a few years ago and, while I remember liking it, it just doesn’t have the charm of the book.
#8 - Northanger Abbey
I’m on a quest to reread all of Jane Austen’s works, because I haven’t read most of them since high school. For some reason, Northanger Abbey was one I didn’t get to at all. It was truly a delight to read!
It follows Catherine Morland, a young, naive and trusting girl traveling with friends to Bath. She is obsessed with Gothic novels and as such, lets her imagination get the best of her at times. She falls in love with Henry Tilney, a witty and kind man. I loved every second of this book! I saw a lot of young Tiffany in Catherine and the steadfast, less emotional, funny Henry reminded me of my husband.
One of the gothic books prominently featured in Northanger Abbey is The Mysteries of Udolpho, which I am looking forward to reading in 2022!
#7 - Anne of Green Gables
I’m sort of cheating with this one, because I would also include Anne of Avonlea in this spot. So they’re tied. These books are so well loved that I’m certain you need no introduction to the plot or characters. I had read the series as a preteen/early teen and absolutely loved them (as well as the movie featuring Megan Follows). This time around, I read the books aloud to Claire and what a delight they were! We both laughed and cried and enjoyed every moment. I wanted to continue the series with Claire, but she wasn’t really enjoying Anne of the Island (too much romance for her tastes at this age), so I will probably continue on my own.
#6 - Just Mercy
In 2021, I broadened my horizons by reading more nonfiction. When I read nonfiction, it tends to be spiritual, so this one was out my comfort zone. This book has gotten a lot of buzz since the movie came out, but in case you aren’t familiar, this book is written by a lawyer who helps people wrongfully imprisoned, particularly those on death row.
I think this book is an important one for all Americans to read. It talks a lot about the failings of the justice system and prison system in our country, while relating stories of real cases and real people. I learned a lot while reading this book and was completely engrossed in Stevenson’s writing style. I can’t stop talking about it!
#5 - The Great Divorce
The Great Divorce was one of Peter’s favorite books from 2020 and he was itching for me to read it. I’m so glad I did! It was one of the few fiction works of Lewis that I’d not yet read. The plot is difficult to talk about. At the beginning of the book, Lewis has a dream that he gets on a bus that takes him to heaven and then we follow all that he encounters there. So much of it is strange, but it’s so insightful and thought provoking, in true Lewis fashion. It’s absolutely amazing and one that I will continue to return to.
#4 - All Things Wise and Wonderful
I read my first (and second!) James Herriot book in 2020 and it was everything I needed in that crazy year. All Things Wise and Wonderful is book 3 and it did not disappoint. I love Herriot’s tales of being a country vet in Yorkshire. There are beautiful descriptions of the English countryside, heartwarming and funny tales of animals and small town life and all kinds of goodness.
This book deviates a bit from the first two in that it follows Herriot as he is recruited and in training for the Royal Air Force during World War 2. While we get some stories of military life, most of the stories are him reminiscing about his days as a vet and pining to return to them. Despite the formatting differences, I loved it just as much as the first two.
#3 - The Death of Ivan Ilyich
While this book is actually a novella, it still deserves a place on this list. It follows a man (Ivan Ilyich), who believes he is dying. He has always been focused on worldly things and is forced to re-examine his life. What constitutes a life well lived? I found this book easy to read, yet so profound. If Russian classics intimidate you, but you’re also interesting in giving one a try, this short work is a wonderful place to start.
#2 - Mere Christianity
C.S. Lewis is the only author that got two books on this list and he absolutely deserves it! I’m not even sure what to say about Mere Christianity. It was my first foray in Lewis’ nonfiction and it’s one of the best books I’ve ever read in my life. C.S. Lewis does an amazing job of breaking down the basics of the Christian faith and exploring deep and often confusing facets with metaphors that bring understanding. This book is so rich, so full of depth … and also has random snippets of snarky British humor that caught me off-guard. I highly recommend this to EVERYONE, whether or not you’re a Christian.
#1 - Little Women
I’ve gained a reputation on my YouTube channel as a classics lover, so everyone was shocked when I said I hadn’t ever read Little Women. I was familiar with the plot, because I grew up watching the 90’s movie adaptation. I was fairly confident I would love this book, but I wasn’t prepared for how much I would love it.
In case you aren’t familiar with the plot, it follows a family with 4 daughters (Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy). We watch the daughters grow up, learn life lessons and find love. The book explores their characters in ways the movie didn’t. I felt like I knew the March family. Most people have a favorite sister, but as I read this book, I realized that Marmee is the hero of the story. Her parenting is gentle and full of love and wisdom. She’s exactly the kind of mother I hope to be to my daughter.
If you want more of my gushing thoughts, I did a reading vlog on my YouTube channel where I discuss more of my thoughts (I finished Just Mercy in the same video).
I hope you enjoyed hearing my favorite books of 2021! I’d love to hear some of your favorites as well, so feel free to comment below!
