Top Ten Tuesday is a feature hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week’s topic is: Best Books I Read In 2021
Gosh this is HARD. (Truly- harder than usual, 2021 slayed, bookishly- and only bookishly- speaking.) And there isn’t a real rhyme or reason to how I picked the top ones, it was just a combination of rating, and then how fondly I remembered it, and these are the 21 books that won! (I also have been copying this exact post since 2018 and feel zero regrets. I mean am I efficient or WHAT?!) Also even better? I copied and pasted most of my little “summaries” from my reviews and wow I am getting it done.
I did find a new GIF because I mean. I had to do something, right?
Also, I decided to limit an author to one book. I honestly could have included two for a couple but I didn’t because this way more authors get a spot. I also decided not to include any books that won’t be published until 2022. Seems too rude.
The VERY (honestly guys it was so hard to choose these are all so freaking good) Honorable Mentions, in no particular order:
These pictures link to reviews or Goodreads, depending on whether I reviewed stuff! And the titles to Bookshop because affiliate links and supporting small bookstores, yay!
The Top Ten
#10: A Small Hotel by Suanne Laqueur:
It’s the kind of book that creeps up on you, you know? Starts off fine enough, you’re interested, but then it becomes more. It worms its way into your heart, and never lets go.
#9: Last One at the Party by Bethany Clift:
If I could have made a list of all the things that I’d want an apocalypse novel to include, this book would check off every single box.
#8: The Apocalypse Seven by Gene Doucette:
You know that feeling when you’re reading a really awesome book and you think “I could legit just keep reading this story forever”? That is me with Apocalypse Seven.
#7: The Last Watch by J.S. Dewes:
When you compare a book to The Expanse, my hopes are going to be sky-high, right? So how, pray tell, did J.S. Dewes write something that wildly exceeded my already bananas expectations?
#6: Twenty Five to Life by R. W.W. Greene:
I loved this story, in that special way that leaves you satisfied at the end, but also a little sad because you just don’t want it to end.
#5: Some Other Now by Sarah Everett:
This story is beautiful and heartbreaking and just so completely full of love. Read it, read it now.
#4: Rebel Daughter by Lori Banov Kaufmann:
I genuinely cannot remember the last time a book has affected me this much. Esther’s story, and the story of her people, owns my whole heart. This is truly a book I’ll never forget.
#3: Under the Whispering Door by T. J. Klune:
This book is brilliant, full stop. The writing, the characters, the story… it’s incredibly moving and enthralling. It’s my first T.J. Klune book, but I promise that it will not be my last. Under the Whispering Door flawlessly blends every possible emotion into an incredibly moving story. I cried, I laughed, I swooned, I reflected on life and being human.
#2: The Past Is Red by Catherynne M. Valente:
Wow so I fell in love hard with this one. And I won’t pretend that I am not a little surprised by just how much. Sure, I thought it would be entertaining and fun. But I had no idea how much heart it would have. So when you look at the synopsis and think “um girl living on garbage?” and are skeptical… well look, it’s only 160 pages, what have you got to lose?
#1: Fire Keeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley:
Every so often, a novel comes around that turns the book world upside down and changes everything. This is that novel.
I heard awesome things about The Last Watch. And I also really loved Under the Whispering Door!
Some Other Now made my YA list. It was a book that left an impression. She Wouldn’t Change a Thing actually made multiple year end lists for me. I can still feel all the emotions as I type this.
Under the Whispering Door was great – if that was your first Klune I’d really recommend The House in the Cerulean Sea too! Last One at the Party is on my tbr list… thanks for reminding me of why I put it there!
I hope you had a great Christmas and this is my look back at the best and most fun books I have read in 2021.
Project Hail Mary didn’t quite make the cut for me. My expectations may have been too high. Happy reading! My TTT https://readwithstefani.com/the-best-10-books-i-read-in-2021/
Firekeeper’s Daughter is on my list as well. I remember being hesitant to read it, not sure why, but I devoured the book in only a couple of days!
Pam @ Read! Bake! Create!
https://readbakecreate.com/the-10-best-books-i-read-in-2021/
I like the sound if the title Apocalypse seven- it is going on my list
https://seriesbooklover.wordpress.com/2021/12/28/top-ten-tuesday-best-reads-of-2021/
I agree it is very hard. I am doing this topic on Thursday! Here is what I did today: https://cindysbookcorner.blogspot.com/2021/12/top-ten-tuesday-cover-love.html
Amazing list, Shannon! I’m happy to see a few that made my list too, like The Last Watch and Project Hail Mary. Twenty Five to Life didn’t quite make my Best of list, but it was on my Top 21 Sci Fi Books list from November.
You’ve got me interested in Rebel Daughter! Off to get my hands on it — but first, Season’s Greetings and Happy TTT!
I have heard about most of these books but sadly, I don’t seem to want to read them. I guess maybe my taste in books is dwindling or something. But I like the covers of these books. And I’m happy you got to love them.
Have a lovely day.
The Fire Keeper’s Daughter is on my TBR. So glad you enjoyed it!
Under the Whispering Door was such a great read! I’m glad it made your list.
I’m so mad at myself for not reading Firekeeper’s Daughter this year. I just know it’s going to be a favourite for me as well!
The Fire Keeper’s Daughter was on my list too. I was blown away that it was a debut. Well done!
Glad you had such an awesome reading year. I lacked quantity but read a lot of good ones.
Karen @For What It’s Worth
I’ve not read any of these but glad they were favourites for you!
My TTT: https://jjbookblog.wordpress.com/2021/12/28/top-ten-tuesday-348/
My dad got me Project Hail Mary for Christmas, so I’ll be reading that one for sure. I’m on waitlists for Firekeeper’s Daughter and several TJ Klune books. If my library buys more copies of those books, I might get one sometime in the next billion years. I hope you have an awesome 2022!
The Fire Keeper’s Daughter is a must read for sure. I’m really looking forward to that one. Rebel Daughter caught my eye too. (I guess it’s a year for daughters.) Thanks for all the great recs!
Oh my gosh, how have I not read *any* of these?! Clearly, I need to fix that. 😀
Echo gif *nods*
Wow, I haven’t read ANY of these yet. I’m seriously slacking but at least this loser year is almost over. Maybe I’ll actually read books in 2022?
I do want to read Valente’s novella also- was just looking at that…
You’re the first person I’ve seen mention Rebel Daughter – I’ve been eyeing it at my library and I might have to give it a try. 🙂
I am so excited to read The Firekeeper’s Daughter. So glad you enjoyed it. Happy New Year!
I also really enjoyed Project Hail Mary! And I’m anxious to get to Firekeeper’s Daughter soon. Happy Reading in 2022!
I was just eyeing my copy of The Last Watch and thinking to myself how I need to read that this coming year for sure–since I didn’t get to it this year. I am glad to see it made your top ten! I also really want to read Fire Keeper’s Daughter. It sounds so good! All of your favorites do. 🙂 I hope you have a wonderful 2022!
I love this list, Shannon! I just wish I had read at least one book from your list though LOL!
I actually haven’t read (any many times even heard of) the books on your top ten list! I do want to read Under the Whispering Door though, and seeing it ranked so high makes me even more excited to get to it! I still haven’t compiled my list of best books because I am way too indecisive and waiting until the year is officially over in case the last book I read is a new favorite! It probably won’t happen with less than 24 hours left to the year, but just in case, I’m waiting!
Yay for having such a good book year. The Fire Keeper’s Daughter is one that I’m hoping to read soon. I have a lot of books to check out in 2022!!!
-Lauren
Such a great list of books here, it’s great to see you enjoyed Under the Whispering Door, I still really need to start reading that. I’m thinking I might make it my next read since I’ve been meaning to read it forever. It’s just gathering dust on my shelf.
I obviously have to read The Fire Keeper’s Daughter because no one can stop talking about it. I will get right on that.
Thank you so much! Catherynne Valente is one of my favorite authors ever, I’m re-reading her Fairyland series for the third time now…