This is an end-of-year list that should’ve been tallied in 2021, but here we are 😄. I was in a long get-my-shit-together phase in december, and had to consciously maintain a slow pace. But I had it on my to-do and I’m so excited to share the books that I read in 2021 (and fondly remember).
In 2021, I got back to reading for fun. I got so “busy” and “serious” over the past couple years that I kinda stopped reading. I was so focused on “improving” my self and started reading only personal development books, and it totally drained my love for reading as an art form – you know.
Although I’ve learned a lot, so the years weren’t a bust…lol. I just believe I would’ve struggled less if I’d been more compassionate with myself and not tried so hard to fix whatever I assumed was “broken.”
Anyway, I’m thankful that I got here. My guides pulled my head out of my ass last year and I started finding my way back to me and what I love, and I started to love reading again.
So, here are the books that made 2021 a fun reading year.
Early Winter Reads
I started the year with a good romance – Finding Joy by Adriana Herrera (review coming soon). This was such a sweet book, and it – and the characters – stuck with me till the end of the year; till now even.
Between January and February, I read 3 more:
- I’ve got your number by Sophie Kinsella.
- Where she went by Gayle Forman. This is the sequel to the book – and now movie – If I stay.
- The wedding date by Jasmine Guillory
In March, a friend bought me two volumes of Ordinary Gods and the first three volumes of Jupiter’s legacy – on iBooks. I also started listening to Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman on audible, which was a new and amazing form of immersive entertainment for me.
So, that put me back in the mood for comics and fantasy again. As soon as I “finished” Jupiter’s Legacy by mid-spring, I picked up Neil Gaiman’s Stardust and Snow, Glass, Apples.
Then I took a break to catch up on the shows from Marvel’s Phase 4, and somewhere between Wandavision and Loki, my book break over-extended…lol.
A Little Drama & Romance in Summer
I travelled a lot in the summer, so the fact that I read even 5 books is a testament to just how good these books were. Needless to say, it was a sweet, romantic, and mostly sexy/raunchy summer 😉.
- A Bollywood Affair by Sonali Dev
- Beach Read by Emily Henry
- The Heart Principle by Helen Hoang
- The Sweetest Remedy by Jane Igharo
- Athena’s Child by Hannah Lynn. See my full thoughts on this here
Romance in Autumn
The first book I read in fall was Christina Lauren’s Love and other words, and OMG what an amazing way to start the season. It wrapped me whole and melted my cold, cold heart into an ooey-gooey mess of love and friendship. It was divine! Read full review here:
To be honest, the other books I read after LAOD were great, but it was such a tough follow up, I don’t think they got a fair shake…lol.
- The proposal by Jasmine Guillory.
- Last Tang Standing by Lauren Ho.
- The Ex-Hex by Erin Stirling. Read review here
A Slow Christmas
With Christmas I like to keep it light, simple and sweet. I’m an easy weeper, so I try to keep the tear-jerkers to a minimum. I did put out a proper review of the Christmas books I read in 2021 here, so give that a read if you’re interested.
- Always in December by Emily Stone
- In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren
- How to Marry Keanu Reeves in 90 Days by K.M. Jackson – Not exactly a holiday read, but it was so good
Repeat Offenders
I’m not a huge re-reader, but on some weekends, I like to pull out a sure thing; a book that I know will be quick and predictable because I already know how the story ends.
There were a few last year, but the two I remember are:
- Stay with me by Ayobami Adebayo. This was one of my first book reviews on this blog – in 2018.
- Pride and prejudice by Jane Austen. When all else fails, I can always count on Ms. Austen’s Elizabeth and Darcy to entertain. Although, if we’re talking repeats, nothing compares to how much I’ve re-watched the 2005 Pride & Prejudice movie. Honestly, it’s becoming an issue. Help!
Personal Development
…or as I love to categorize them: Self-discovery books.
I read the books on this list over the course of the year, and will most likely always go back to them (or some highlights/pages).
The 20s are kind of hard, and most of us tend to get/feel lost or misunderstood by even ourselves. We’re all trying to not be distracted and to be as authentic as possible in a world that works hard at trying to make you believe that you need to be someone else to “survive.”
Being vulnerable enough to let yourself try or fail in public is not easy and a sense of purpose is sometimes elusive.
😄 There’s a lot going on – outside and within – and one way or another, these books helped me figure it out. Or at least, taught me to sit still long enough to hear what I need to.
Hope they do the same for you!
- The Courage to Write by Ralph Keyes. This is marketed to writers, but I promise it’s beneficial if you’re any kind of creative.
- Daring Greatly by Brene Brown
- Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon
- The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson
This is the end. That’s all I’ve got for now. I’m already having fun with my picks of 2022 so far, and I hope we’ll get to catch up like this again by the end of 2022. This time, I’m keeping detailed records of how the books are going, so stay tuned!
Have you read any of these? What are you currently reading? Please let me know in the comments!
Please stay safe. x
For more book reviews, check here
Leave a Reply