.jpg)
I don’t make a hard and fast goal for how many books to read in a year, but just under 50 seems to be a comfortable place for me to land lately. In 2021, I’m finishing the year with 46 books. 2020 was also 46. I’ve needed a lot of bibliotherapy over the past couple of years! 2019 was 38, and 2018 was 18.
Here are my reads of 2021, in order of when I read them. You’ll find a star by my favorites.
All titles are linked for you!
Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell: This book took me back to all the emotions and situations of being a teenager and experiencing my first true love. The relationship felt raw and real, and the situations, though heavy and heart-wrenching at times, struck a chord with me and what I faced growing up in a blended family (though my experience was far more positive). I thought the writing was excellent and the story engaging and poignant. I noticed it’s a Teacher’s Pick on Amazon too!
*The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis: The magic and profound symbolism of this classic cannot be overstated. I read an illustrated version with my 8-year-old son as our homeschool read-aloud and we both got so immersed in it. We had a Narnia feast afterward to make the magic last a little longer.
I highly recommend reading this aloud with your children. I linked to the illustrated set we have, which made it all the more magical.
March graphic novel series by John Lewis: I devoured these graphic novels in two days. They were written from the perspective of congressman John Lewis, one of the Big Six civil rights activists. I learned so much about the civil rights movement, and I’d never even heard some of the stories and facts inside. I highly recommend these books for learning about civil rights and as a resource to better teach your kids about them. (As for kids reading the books on their own, I’d say they’re great for mature middle grade readers on up).
The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley: I just reread this in prep for book club, and enjoyed it even more the second time around. (And had forgotten the ending, so was thrown for a major loop!) I didn’t at all mind escaping into the Scottish seaside again for this one.
The Dutch House by Ann Patchett: This Pulitzer Prize Winner was a slow, sweet, slightly dark read. I enjoyed listening to the Tom Hanks narration. I could vividly see and feel The Dutch House in my mind, and found Ann Patchett’s writing beautiful and unique. Admittedly, it took me some time to get into the flow of the story, but by the end, the story felt melodic and mesmerizing, and I ended up giving it 4 stars. This book made me think about our attachments to place, and what makes a home. A good pick for lovers of literary fiction.
Before the Ever After by Jacqueline Woodson: This was a heart-wrenching and lovely book. I read it with my 6th-grade daughter and we loved it.
*Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times by Katherine May: From the prologue on, I was drawn into Katherine’s descriptions of winter and the parallel to how we all face our own internal winters, and how important it is to honor and lean into them and show ourselves compassion through them. I recommend this to book to friends who enjoy memoirs and recognize the importance of looking after their own mental health.
What Kind of Woman, poetry by Kate Baer: A collection of empowering poems by a feminist mom. Loved it. I got her next poetry book for Christmas and am looking forward to reading it.
*The Midnight Library by Matt Haig: A book about jumping into different variations of your life by sifting through books in a magical library? Yes, please. This book drew me in from the beginning and gave me a lot to think about. It housed thoughts about existentialism in an entertaining plot and characters that made me want to keep coming back to the story. If you like stories of parallel universes like Sliding Doors, What Alice Forgot, and Kate Morton, I think you’ll enjoy this.
As A Man Thinketh by James Allen: I just read this super short classic for the second time and it had some great 1900s mic drops. It’s a good reminder that who we are and what we do are largely the product of our thoughts.
*The Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd: This book feels sacred to me. It’s the history-surrounded account of the fictional wife of Jesus, and hearing bits of his story through the eyes of a woman made him feel more real and close than before. A favorite quote (of many): “Why should we contain God any longer in our poor and narrow conceptions, which are so often no more than grandiose reflections of ourselves? Let us set him free.”
*The Red Tent by Anita Diamant: There was something entrancing about jumping into the lives of women during biblical times. It made me want to create more Red Tent experiences in my own life among the women I love, where we slow down and celebrate the things that are inherently ours.
Restoration: God’s Call to the 21st Century World by Patrick Q. Mason: This book was a call for reformation within the LDS Church while lauding the good it does. Full review for this and others on GoodReads.
Root & Nourish: An Herbal Cookbook for Women’s Wellness by Abbey Rodriguez and Jennifer Kurdyla: This book not only provides recipes for nourishing food, but practical tips for taking better care of your body and mind and feeling more grounded to nature. I love the recipes I’ve tried so far and have gleaned so much wisdom from this book.
*Finding Mother God: Poems to Heal the World by Carol Lynn Pearson: This book is sacred and healing. I recommend it to every woman I know.
The Ghost of Eternal Polygamy by Carol Lynn Pearson: A well-researched take on polygamy from a progressive member of the church I belong to.
I reference this book and more of my personal faith experience in this email series, if you’re interested: Coming Home: A Faith Series.
*People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry: I loved Emily Henry’s Beach Read, and People We Meet on Vacation just as much. She has a way of writing such real, witty, entertaining characters who also have depth and undergo transformations that don’t feel too perfect or wrapped up in a pretty bow. I found myself swooning, laughing, and crying along with these characters. It was so fun to join Poppy and Alex on their Summer Trips around the world and visit some places I’ve loved traveling to as well (like Palm Springs). I loved the way the story switched from Summer Trips past and the one they are taking in the present, and thought Emily wrote the dual timeline masterfully. A perfect book for anyone wanting a light but thoughtful escape read!
*All Things New: Rethinking Sin, Salvation, and Everything in Between by Fiona and Terryl Givens: A must-read for any progressive thinker in the LDS community. All Things New walks you through an interesting and well-researched history of Christianity and deconstructs some of the harmful religious precepts adopted by men throughout history. It sheds a more holistic, true light on the loving nature of God and the purpose of Christ to heal, not punish, to make complete and whole, not to make perfect (in the modern sense of the word). I especially loved the chapters on repentance and worthiness.
Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo: I watched the Netflix series off of a recommendation and loved the premise and characters enough to dive into the book. I don’t often reach for fantasy but this one was worth the read! I love the female protagonist and the complexity of The Darkling. A unique, entertaining story. Excited to read book two (and for the TV series to continue)!
*The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab: V.E. Schwab’s writing was poetic and entrancing, and the story felt fresh and engaging the whole way through. I loved the complexity, mystery, and appeal of Luc’s character and his relationship with Addie. It had the vibes of Meet Joe Black, The Book Thief, and The Age of Adeline. It made me think more deeply about our intrinsic human need to be acknowledged, to belong, to be valued, and to be remembered.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid: Not my favorite by her but a lot of people loved it! It was a little too depressing for me at the time.
*I Am Malala: The Story of the Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban by Malala Yousafzai: My daughter read the Young Readers Edition of I Am Malala while I read the full version, then we watched the “He Named Me Malala” documentary together afterwards. This was one of the most inspiring stories I’ve heard and we both learned a lot about the unrest in the Middle East and the beauty of Islam culture.
*Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid: The full cast audio recording of this book made it really come to life, and I could see the scenes playing out in my mind. It had Walk the Line and A Star Is Born vibes (but not quite as tragic). It captured the 70s rock and roll scene so well and I was surprised by how real the characters and story felt.
The Martian by Andy Weir: My 6th-grader and I read the classroom edition together and it was SO good. We read most of it then listened to the audio at the end. Gripping and hilarious. The movie (with Matt Damon) is amazing too!
The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner: I loved escaping into the (actual) English village of Chawton for this charming story about a group of men and women from different walks of life who come together over their love for Jane Austen. The audio is excellent.
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles: This book is about a Russian count who is put on house arrest in an upscale hotel and the things (and people) that add meaning to his life there. The way the author personified things and wrote about the human experience was inventive and charming. If you enjoy character-driven literary novels with non-traditional pacing, you may like this one.
The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune: Such a fun, unique setting and storyline that tackles some important issues today’s kids face. Great to read with your middle grade readers.
The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang: An ultra steamy bubblegum romance.
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett: This one made for a good book club discussion.
Float Plan by Trish Doller: This book was such a fun, quick read. It’s about Anna, a girl who loses her fiancé (Ben) to suicide and navigates her grief as she journeys alone across the ocean in a sailboat to fulfill a goal she and Ben had. She happens to meet Keane, a handsome Irish pro sailor along the way and they fall in love. If you’re looking for a good beach read, don’t miss this one!
What the Wind Knows by Amy Harmon: A time-travel romance set in Ireland? Yes, please. This book was beautifully written, the setting was rich and atmospheric, and the romance was excellent.
*More Than a Body: Your Body Is an Instrument, Not an Ornament by Lexie and Lindsay Kite: This is a book every woman should read. I’ve always thought I was pretty body positive and aware of the way the media objectifies bodies, but the research, anecdotes, and viewpoints in this book woke me up to the almost subconscious ways I automatically objectify myself and others. It made me think about how much time I spend worrying about how others perceive me and keeping up my appearance. It was a good reminder for me to unravel some of the conditioned thoughts I have about body image and view myself as a whole being with qualities that are far more important than how I look, not as a sum of my body parts.
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir: After reading The Martian, I wanted to read this new release from Andy Weir. Correction: I listened to it, because the audio is excellent. I’m not normally a sci-fi reader, but I’m glad I made this exception. It was intriguing and funny and fresh. I listened with my husband and we both enjoyed it.
*Think Like a Monk: Train Your Mind for Peace and Purpose Every Day by Jay Shetty: Jay Shetty shares the wisdom he gained living as a monk for three years and breaks it down into practical things we can apply every day to live with more awareness and intention. It was exactly the brain shift I needed to get out of a rut and remember I create my own inner world.
Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid: This had some triggers for me because of my own family history, so that seeped a lot of the enjoyment out of it for me. If Taylor Jenkins Reid were a worse writer it wouldn’t have felt so real and hit close to home, but she is excellent at crafting believable characters and an immersive story. This one felt a little disjointed jumping from the family saga into a wild Malibu party with lots of new characters with independent stories, but it was still enjoyable. 3.5 for me.
*Signs: The Secret Language of the Universe by Laura Lynne Jackson: I loved this book and recommend it to anyone, especially if you’ve lost a loved one.
Dusk, Night, Dawn: On Revival and Courage by Ann Lamott: A beautiful little hope-giving book written in 2021.
*Dance of the Dissident Daughter by Sue Monk Kidd: This book speaks to unraveling the harms of a patriarchal structure and rediscovering personal sovereignty and feminine wisdom. I loved listening to it and drew so much solidarity and insight from it. I recommend this to anyone seeking more of the divine feminine in their lives and just wanting to more fully step into their own feminine power.
*All The Lonely People by Mike Gayle: One of the best books I’ve read and one I’d recommend to everyone. The main character, Hubert Bird, couldn’t be more delightful. I love all the topics this book addresses and the theme of fighting the loneliness epidemic we all face to some degree, especially in today’s tech-connected world. This story and its characters had me smiling and at one point, crying in the hotel gym. A full five stars from me. The audio is the way to go on this one! If you loved “A Man Called Ove,” you may love this one even more.
*Faith after Doubt: Why Your Beliefs Stopped Working and What to Do about It by Brian McLaren: This book is a balm and breath of relief to anyone experiencing a faith transition and looking for some direction after deconstructing beliefs.
A Season for Second Chances by Jenny Bayliss: A delightful holiday read. A heartfelt and humorous second-chance romance set in an English cottage by the sea–exactly the type of read I like in December.
Last Christmas in Paris by Hazel Gaynor: This was a lovely book to listen to during the holidays. It captured the heartache of WWII without being too heavy, and the epistolary format gave it a fresh take on a saturated genre. Short, sweet, and excellent full-cast audio.
I hope you find some new favorites of your own on this list. Happy reading in 2022!
Looking for more good reads? Check this out:
