Where do I begin? 2021 was a wild year. Personally, it was one filled with a lot of loss, but also some truly beautiful times. It was a year that tested mine and my family's resolve, but one that showed us we can endure anything together.
I am sharing with you some of my favorite books that I read in 2021. While most are 2021 releases, I did read a few backlist books. Putting this list together made me realize that I need to prioritize backlist books more, because they deserve love too!
Another reading goal that I had in 2021 was to diversify my reading. At least 50% of this list are books by BIPOC or queer authors. I am proud of that, but I know I can do more to continue to diversify my reading, both by authors and genres.
The book stack pictured only includes copies which I own and had on my shelves. It does not include others I have loaned out to friends or read library copies of, so check out my inclusive list. You can pick up copies of any (or ALL) of these at Bookshop.org. Just click the link to view my shop!
Best Books I Read in 2021
(In no particular order.)
Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart
Rock, Paper, Scissors by Alice Feeney
Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy
When the Stars Go Dark by Paula McLain
The Sentence by Louise Erdrich
Girl, Woman, Other by Bernadine Evaristo
Yellow Wife by Sadeqa Johnson
Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner
Everything Here is Beautiful by Mira T. Lee
The Final Revival of Opal & Nev by Dawnie Walton
Black Buck by Mateo Askaripour
In My Dreams I Hold a Knife by Ahsley Winstead
The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah
*Other books not pictured*
Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters
The Guncle by Steven Rowley
Cultish by Amanda Montell
We Begin at the End by Chris Whitaker
Blacktop Wasteland by S.A. Cosby
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