Top Ten Tuesday – Best Books of… 2021!
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Today’s Top Ten is a freebie! For a few years now, I’ve taken the opportunity to do my “Best of the year” list later in the year when there’s a freebie week. This gives me more time to reflect on my reading than doing it in December or January, and to see which books have made a long lasting impression.
I read 186 books in 2021, which is more than usual and makes it all the more difficult to pick a top 10! There were definitely more than 10 books I loved, and I hope I can include them in different Top 10 through the year. For now, here are the 10 that stood out the most :
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Top 10 Books I read in 2021
Seven Days in June by Tia Williams : 2021 was the year of romance for me, and without a doubt, Seven Days in June stood above the crowd in the contemporary section. It was emotional and well written and I loved it deeply.
Finlay Donovan is Killing It by Elle Cosimano : This was just so much fun! A good mystery, hilarious situations, this was pure entertainment and I can’t wait to read the second book soon.
Empire of Sand by Tasha Suri : The mythology, the romance, the slow pace, I loved everything about this fantasy book. It’s the first of a duology, and I plan on reading the second book soon.
Legendborn by Tracy Deonn : I don’t know whether Legendborn will stand the test of time for me, but I know that it’s one of the few YA fantasy I’ve been able to connect with and truly enjoy in the past couple years. Loved the characters and the plot. (There’s nothing wrong with YA fantasy btw, I just think I’ve been interested in different types of stories lately!)
The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie by Jennifer Ashley : This was perfection. I’d never read a historical romance with a neurodivergent hero before. I’ll admit, I was a bit nervous getting into this one, but I ended up loving the story, the characters and the writing.
Suddenly You by Lisa Kleypas : A fun premise! I read a few Lisa Kleypas this year and I believe this was my favourite. She does tension very well and I have a weakness for these stories.
The Invisible Life of Addie Larue by V.E. Schwab : I loved this one, it was beautiful. I didn’t mind the slow pace or the repetitiveness, I felt that both served the story well.
They Never Learn by Layne Fargo : My favorite thriller of the year! It was a fantastic and surprising ride and different from any other thriller I read in 2021.
Dune by Frank Herbert : When I picked up Dune, I never expected to see it land on my favorites list. I thought I would struggle through it and possibly not even finish it, but the opposite happened. I completely fell in love with the world. I’ve since read the second book, which I also loved and made me appreciate the first book even more. I thought the movie was quite good, too.
A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas : Ok, this is another one that is here purely because it entertained me so much. Sarah J. Maas’s writing certainly has its weaknesses, but I find her worlds easy to slip into. Plus, I really relate to the way she explores things like PTSD and anxiety.
Wow, you read a lot last year!
My post: https://lydiaschoch.com/top-ten-tuesday-reasons-to-take-a-reading-break/
I like the idea of waiting a little bit longer to decide on you “Best of” list for a year. Makes sense to wait and see which ones you actually remember this many months later. My problem is that I have a terrible memory. I don’t remember ANYTHING months after I’ve read it. Ha ha.
Happy TTT!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
I’m going to have to look up They Never Learn and see if my library has it. I remember seeing that title/cover and wanting to try it. I’m glad it made your favorites list.