28 Dec 2021

Top Ten Books I Read in 2021

This was a surprisingly difficult list to make, as I've reread a LOT, and I never count rereads for these lists. And unfortunately, when it comes to new reads, it's been a bit of a 'meh' reading year this year. But fortunately I did find some new reads that were absolutely outstanding, and became instant favourites.
Project Hail Mary - Andy Weir Without a doubt the best book I've read all year. It blew me away and left me book-hungover in a way I haven't experienced in AGES! Am VERY glad to have gotten a physical copy of this one for my library!
Meet Me in the Margins - Melissa Ferguson An ARC I received earlier this year (it'll be out in February sometime). Really sweet romance with definite shades of "You've Got Mail". Loved it!
Call Me Maybe - Cara Bastone An Audible origins, meaning it was free with my subscription. Would absolutely have been worth money though. Another really sweet chick-lit that worked perfectly as an audiobook (read by two narrators). (The companion novel, "Sweet Talk" is also well worth listening to :-D )
If I Never Met You - Mhairi McFarlane Somehow I'd managed to get this far without ever coming across any of Mhairi McFarlane's books! HUGE mistake, and one I have made sure to remedy since then. This is by far my favourite, and yet another book that I immediately wanted to add to my physical library.
Boyfriend Material - Alexis Hall Very cute and charming book, that had me laughing out loud more than once. Apparently I'm a huge fan of faux romances ;-)
Whiteout- Adriana Anders Not very realistic, but a good yarn, so I enjoyed it all the same.
The Little Brooklyn Bakery - Julie Caplin Mostly on this list because it was such a charming depiction of NYC that it made me completely "homesick" for it. I'll have to reread it just before our next visit, as it included some (as far as I could tell) real places, I want to go see.
Magic Uncorked - Annabel Chase Definitely a matter of the right book at the right time, but a witch who does magic through cocktails? I am so there for it! Also, I love reading about people who learn how to polish their spine.
Blue - Audrey Faye Audrey Faye's new trilogy, "For the Love of Purple", is just as charming as pretty much everything else she has written. This is the second book in the trilogy, and definitely the one I liked best... possibly because I found it easier to identify with Blue than with both Indigo and Violet.
The Rest of Us Just Live Here - Patrick Ness Until now I had been less than impressed by Patrick Ness' books, but this is definitely the exception that proves the rule. The story is brilliantly written, with a clever use of "Easter eggs" that I didn't notice until a few chapters down the line, and then had to go back and reread bits and pieces to make sure I got it all.

12 comments:

Ellie said...

I am still yet to read an Andy Weir book, my partner loves them but I just never get round to it as I feel like he's already told me what happens!

Deb Nance at Readerbuzz said...

I've seen the Andy Weir book on a lot of lists, but I'm not sure it's a book I'd like. I will look for Meet Me in the Margins.

Pam said...

I'm looking forward to reading Meet Me in the Margins in 2022.

Pam @ Read! Bake! Create!
https://readbakecreate.com/the-10-best-books-i-read-in-2021/

Cindy said...

I will be reading Meet me in the Margins soon. I like the cover of The Little Brooklyn Bakery! Looks like a fun read. https://cindysbookcorner.blogspot.com/2021/12/top-ten-tuesday-cover-love.html

Read with Stefani said...

Project Hailr Mary was a tad underwhelming for me and didn't make it to my list but happy to see you enjoyed it. Happy reading. My TTT https://readwithstefani.com/the-best-10-books-i-read-in-2021/

Susan said...

A lot of people have loved PROJECT HAIL MARY this year, including my husband. Sci-fi isn't my genre and I DNF'd THE MARTIAN because it bored me, so I haven't given Weir another go. Maybe someday. I'm glad you enjoyed all these!

Happy TTT!

Kate @ Bitch Bookshelf said...

A few of these are on my TBR. Glad to see they worked for you.

Kate @ bitchbookshelf.com

Kristine said...

Anything with shades of "You've Got Mail" is worth taking a look at. Thanks for the recommendations!

My post: https://pagesandpaws.com/2021/12/28/ttt-top-20-heroes-heroines-from-2021/

Kristin Kraves Books said...

I loved Boyfriend Material! I'm so happy that we are getting a sequel next year!

Marianna @ Tell me a Yarn said...

I seen other bloggers list Andy Weir's book as their top ten favorite book of the year.

RS said...

The Little Brooklyn Bakery looks so cute!! Adding it to my TBR.

Lectrice Vorace said...

Meet Me in the Margins seems really cute.

My TTT list.