Here it is: my top five favorite books from 2021.
Book One: The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
I think it’s safe to just say 2021 was the year I discovered Matt Haig and leave it at that.
The Midnight Library is a fantasy novel about Nora who is trapped between the living and the dead after a suicide attempt. She finds herself at the Midnight Library, a place where she can choose every iteration of life she might have lived.
Why I loved this book –
I identified far too much with Nora. Let’s face it – who wouldn’t want to see every life they might have lived? You must have made a decision somewhere in your life that you wonder what would have happened had you chosen something different. That’s this book.
I want to reread this book with a highlighter. It’s filled with nuggets that force you to realize an uncomfortable truth: You would choose your same life over and over again.
Book Two: The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave
I still haven’t recovered from The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave.
Hannah’s world is turned upside down when her husband suddenly disappears amidst a stock scandal at his firm leaving her with a note that says two words: Protect her.
Why I loved this book –
This thriller forces you to ask yourself: what would I do if I were Hannah?
Hannah is suddenly forced to make a lot of choices that will change not only her life but the life of her stepdaughter because of a husband she’s only been married to for less than two years. What would you do, guys? WHAT. WOULD. YOU. DO.
And the answer will blow your freaking mind.
Book Three: A Lady in the Smoke by Karen Odden
A Lady in the Smoke by Karen Odden is a Victorian mystery, and the reason I chose this as a top five pick is because I have not seen such delicious writing in a long time.
Delicious, people. Delicious. That’s the only way I can think of to describe it.
Why I loved this book –
The characters. I’ve said it time and again on this blog. I like character-driven fiction, and this Victorian mystery novel is exactly why.
Lady Elisabeth Fraser finds herself in a perilous new world after surviving a disastrous train wreck. Thrown from the comforts of her titled world, she’ll discover the truth isn’t always what we think it is.
Odden is a master at character development, and she had me drooling from the first word. I needed to find out what happened to these characters. Needed. It felt so good to be invested in characters like that, and for that, A Lady in the Smoke is a top five pick for me.
Book Four: Mr. Impossible by Loretta Chase
Mr. Impossible by Loretta Chase reminded me why I fell in love with historical romance in the first place.
Daphne Pembroke hides behind her brother’s name to keep the secret of her scholarly ways. But when her brother is kidnapped by a rival seeking the same treasure Daphne hopes to uncover in Egypt, she’ll need to let someone else in on her secrets if she is to rescue her brother. And that someone just happens to be Rupert Carsington…
Why I loved this book –
Think The Mummy as a historical romance novel. Do I need to say more? The sweetness of the relationship between Daphne and Rupert was stunning and unexpected. This is what historical romance is about. Couple this with adventure and an unusual setting for historical romance, and you have the perfect recipe for a historical romance novel.
Book Five: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Yes, I finally read Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen this year, and all I can think is what the heck was I waiting for?
I trust you know what Pride and Prejudice is about, dear reader, so let’s get to the heart of this.
Why I loved this book –
Mr. Darcy.
**Drops mic and walks out.**
There is a reason Austen endures. Her themes are timeless, her writing cutting and efficient, and her characters relatable. But the interaction between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy surpasses all else. If you struggle to read classic literature, I recommend trying audiobooks, especially performed ones when there is a cast of voice actors reading the book. A different format can often help someone enter a story they may have struggled with in the past.
Final Thoughts
2021 was an incredible reading year for me. I struggled in 2020 to focus because of the pandemic, but I came back strong this year by transitioning my reading. If you’re in a reading rut, it’s important to identify what you like and what you don’t as far as story elements. It’s not necessarily about the genre. Check out What Should I Read Next with Anne Bogel if you struggle with identifying these elements.
2021 saw me exploring the mystery and thriller fields and delving into some older historical romance novels I had missed at the time. It was a year of stretching my reading boundaries, and I can’t wait to continue this new reading journey in 2022.
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