2021 was an outstanding reading year for me. I read a total of 125 books! More important than that number, however, is the fact that out of those books, 23 of them earned 5 star ratings from me. Here are my stats:
33 books in Hardback
67 books on my Kindle
25 books on Audio
Here is a brief synopsis and links to the full reviews of my top 12 (because I couldn't stick to 10!).
1) The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles. Amor Towles is a genius and I will read anything he ever writes. This is a story of a group of boys who traverse the country on the Lincoln Highway in search of a fresh start. This was also Amazon's pick for Best Book of 2021. Read my Goodreads review here.
2) Razorblade Tears by S.A. Cosby. I listened to the audio version of this book, which was excellently narrated. Ike Randolph and Buddy Lee are two unlikely companions who pair together to avenge their sons' murders. Tough and gritty, but tender as well. This was one breathtaking story. Read my Goodreads review here.
3) Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir. This was another audiobook, where the narrator truly made the story come to life. This story made me laugh and cry and want to hug it when it was over. A lone astronaut wakes up from a coma to find himself on a spaceship on a mission to save our solar system and meets up with an ally beyond your wildest imagination. Read my Goodreads review here.
4) Raft of Stars by Andrew J. Graff. Two ten-year-old boys run away when they think they have murdered the abusive father of one of them. This story was both gripping and heartfelt. You will be holding your breath in fear for these kids, and cry with emotion at the end of the book. Read my Goodreads review here.
5) All the Lonely People by Mike Gayle. Another fabulous audiobook, with a terrific narrator. (I am beginning to see a pattern here…) If you enjoy books about elderly curmudgeons, you will love this one. 84-year-old widowed Hubert Bird talks on the phone every week with his daughter in Australia. She is worried about him being alone and he creates a lively account of his friends and social activities, all of which are made up. Then she tells him she is coming for a visit and he scrambles to make some "friends". Charming and poignant. Read my Goodreads review here.
6) The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donoghue. Set in Dublin in 1918 during the Spanish Flu epidemic. Julia Power is a nurse in a maternity ward tending to expectant mothers who have come down with the flu. All the action in this book takes place over three days in the confines of this small ward. This book was non-stop enthralling and very timely in terms of our current pandemic. Read my Goodreads review here.
7) Monogamy by Sue Miller. A book about a marriage, family, happiness, grief, and disappointment. We follow Graham and Annie as they navigate their life together. This is a book that will make you experience a complex range of emotions. Can a lifetime of happiness be ruined by one betrayal? Highly recommend this one. Read my Goodreads review here.
8) When the Stars Go Dark by Paula McLain. Missing persons detective Anna Hart investigates a case of a missing teenager in Mendocino in the 1980s. This book is an atmospheric page-turning mystery but also delves deep into trauma theory, survival, and redemption. The novel weaves real crime stories into the fictional narrative in a very compelling way. Read my Goodreads review here.
9) The Book of Lost Friends by Lisa Wingate. After the end of the Civil War, there were thousands of freed slaves who were desperate to find lost loved ones. This is the story of three very different young women on a quest of their own, who end up compiling a book of letters from former slaves who are hoping to find relatives from whom they have been separated. Very well researched historical fiction. Read my Goodreads review here.
10) A Little Hope by Ethan Joella. This book has not received nearly enough praise and promotion, but I adored it. Over the course of a year, we follow the residents of a small Northeastern town. We observe many of the same events through the eyes of different individuals. The book is almost, but not quite, in a short story format, with all the chapters and personalities interconnected. It was sweet and tender and ultimately very hopeful. It made me cry, and that is almost a guarantee of a five-star rating from me! Here is my Goodreads review.
11) A Town Called Solace by Mary Lawson. Three different characters come together in a story of a crime, loss, grief, and redemption. Eight-year-old Clara is mourning her missing teenaged sister, her friend Mrs. Orchard next door has gone to the hospital and not returned, and Liam, a single disconnected divorced man moves into Mrs. Orchard's house. What do these three characters have in common? This book will find a place in your heart. Don't miss it. Read my Goodreads review here.
12) Mary Jane by Jessica Anya Blau. Shy, bookish fourteen-year-old Mary Jane gets a summer job as a nanny to the daughter of a Baltimore psychiatrist. To say the household is a chaotic mess is an understatement. Furthermore, the doctor has cleared his summer schedule to treat a famous rock star and his even more famous movie star wife. Both of whom move into his house. Mary Jane is exposed to many things outside her experience but handles it all with equanimity. This was a fun, fast-paced book. Mary Jane will earn a place in your heart as she straightens out these messed-up characters. Read my Goodreads review here.
There you have it! Have you read any of these books? Do you have any recommendations you would like to share?
45 responses to “Top Twelve Books of 2021”
I’ve made my list and am heading to the library! I look forward to all your posts on good reads; cuts down my time in the library. lol
I’ve made my list and am heading to the library! I look forward to all your posts on good reads; cuts down my time in the library. lol
I’ve made my list and am heading to the library! I look forward to all your posts on good reads; cuts down my time in the library. lol
I’ll have to check these out. My mother has been raving about The Lincoln Highway. I loved Mary Jane.
I’ll have to check these out. My mother has been raving about The Lincoln Highway. I loved Mary Jane.
I’ll have to check these out. My mother has been raving about The Lincoln Highway. I loved Mary Jane.
Thanks so much for posting this! I’m listening to The Lincoln Highway now. I loved The Book of Lost Friends. Now I have others to add to my list!
Thanks so much for posting this! I’m listening to The Lincoln Highway now. I loved The Book of Lost Friends. Now I have others to add to my list!
Thanks so much for posting this! I’m listening to The Lincoln Highway now. I loved The Book of Lost Friends. Now I have others to add to my list!
Thanks for the list. You are a prolific reader! I am not nearly the reader you are but am on Goodreads and love that site.
Thanks for the list. You are a prolific reader! I am not nearly the reader you are but am on Goodreads and love that site.
Thanks for the list. You are a prolific reader! I am not nearly the reader you are but am on Goodreads and love that site.
Thank you for this. I’ve been reading some of your recommendations. I consolidated 175 books from various sources into a spreadsheet. My goal is 100 books this year, 2 a week. So far I’m ahead.
Thank you for this. I’ve been reading some of your recommendations. I consolidated 175 books from various sources into a spreadsheet. My goal is 100 books this year, 2 a week. So far I’m ahead.
Thank you for this. I’ve been reading some of your recommendations. I consolidated 175 books from various sources into a spreadsheet. My goal is 100 books this year, 2 a week. So far I’m ahead.
Thanks for the recommendations. Though I read a lot in 2021, I haven’t read any of these.
Thanks for the recommendations. Though I read a lot in 2021, I haven’t read any of these.
Thanks for the recommendations. Though I read a lot in 2021, I haven’t read any of these.
I read quite a bit but the only book on your list that I’ve read so far is, Project Hail Mary. It is a really unique story. I always appreciate your book recommendations so thank you!
I read quite a bit but the only book on your list that I’ve read so far is, Project Hail Mary. It is a really unique story. I always appreciate your book recommendations so thank you!
I read quite a bit but the only book on your list that I’ve read so far is, Project Hail Mary. It is a really unique story. I always appreciate your book recommendations so thank you!
I really appreciate your rating the books you’ve read. I agree that I also would read any book written by Amor Towles. A Gentleman in Moscow and now Lincoln Highway are two of my all-time favorite books.
I really appreciate your rating the books you’ve read. I agree that I also would read any book written by Amor Towles. A Gentleman in Moscow and now Lincoln Highway are two of my all-time favorite books.
I really appreciate your rating the books you’ve read. I agree that I also would read any book written by Amor Towles. A Gentleman in Moscow and now Lincoln Highway are two of my all-time favorite books.
I I’ve read six of these because of yours blog posts. Your recommendations are always great,
I I’ve read six of these because of yours blog posts. Your recommendations are always great,
I I’ve read six of these because of yours blog posts. Your recommendations are always great,
Thanks Nicole so much! Yeah I have new books to look forward to reading! Have a good week.
Mary
Thanks Nicole so much! Yeah I have new books to look forward to reading! Have a good week.
Mary
Thanks Nicole so much! Yeah I have new books to look forward to reading! Have a good week.
Mary
I have stopped counting how many books I read, but do keep track otherwise I’d read a book I’d read! I liked All the Lonely People and A Town Called Solace but haven’t read any others you’ve shown. I’ve made a note of them though. I did also like The Giver of Stars by Jo Jo Moyes, well worth a read.
I have stopped counting how many books I read, but do keep track otherwise I’d read a book I’d read! I liked All the Lonely People and A Town Called Solace but haven’t read any others you’ve shown. I’ve made a note of them though. I did also like The Giver of Stars by Jo Jo Moyes, well worth a read.
I have stopped counting how many books I read, but do keep track otherwise I’d read a book I’d read! I liked All the Lonely People and A Town Called Solace but haven’t read any others you’ve shown. I’ve made a note of them though. I did also like The Giver of Stars by Jo Jo Moyes, well worth a read.
We must have similar taste in books. I also loved most of these books and have just followed you on Goodreads. I will say I tried “Hail Mary” and could not finish it – which is rare for me. Base on the other books you like, I think I will give it another try. Thanks for the recommendations. I always have two books going at a time – one to read, one on audible. Bliss is listening to a book while I am sewing/quilting/knitting.
We must have similar taste in books. I also loved most of these books and have just followed you on Goodreads. I will say I tried “Hail Mary” and could not finish it – which is rare for me. Base on the other books you like, I think I will give it another try. Thanks for the recommendations. I always have two books going at a time – one to read, one on audible. Bliss is listening to a book while I am sewing/quilting/knitting.
We must have similar taste in books. I also loved most of these books and have just followed you on Goodreads. I will say I tried “Hail Mary” and could not finish it – which is rare for me. Base on the other books you like, I think I will give it another try. Thanks for the recommendations. I always have two books going at a time – one to read, one on audible. Bliss is listening to a book while I am sewing/quilting/knitting.
My goal to read more continues into 2022. I love your posts about books and have picked up a few of them so far. I read Monogamy, stopped part way through as I thought it got slow…. but went back to finish it after I read a different book. It’s very interesting how the author build the characters and story line. Makes one ponder things.
My goal to read more continues into 2022. I love your posts about books and have picked up a few of them so far. I read Monogamy, stopped part way through as I thought it got slow…. but went back to finish it after I read a different book. It’s very interesting how the author build the characters and story line. Makes one ponder things.
My goal to read more continues into 2022. I love your posts about books and have picked up a few of them so far. I read Monogamy, stopped part way through as I thought it got slow…. but went back to finish it after I read a different book. It’s very interesting how the author build the characters and story line. Makes one ponder things.
Loved loved both the Weir & Cosby books! Five star reads for me as well. I have When the Stars Go Dark & looking forward to reading it soon!
Loved loved both the Weir & Cosby books! Five star reads for me as well. I have When the Stars Go Dark & looking forward to reading it soon!
Loved loved both the Weir & Cosby books! Five star reads for me as well. I have When the Stars Go Dark & looking forward to reading it soon!
I always enjoy reading your book reviews and get them as I can thru the Library. So far I’ve read the Book of Lost Friends and truly enjoyed it. Can’t wait to fire up the public library website to get another one of your recommendations. thank you for sharing your love of reading.
Judy
I always enjoy reading your book reviews and get them as I can thru the Library. So far I’ve read the Book of Lost Friends and truly enjoyed it. Can’t wait to fire up the public library website to get another one of your recommendations. thank you for sharing your love of reading.
Judy
I always enjoy reading your book reviews and get them as I can thru the Library. So far I’ve read the Book of Lost Friends and truly enjoyed it. Can’t wait to fire up the public library website to get another one of your recommendations. thank you for sharing your love of reading.
Judy