Here we are, my favorite entry from the Top Ten Tuesday meme hosted by Jana over at That Artsy Reader Girl — favorite books of 2021. This was one post I wasn’t going to miss. I swear I turned my back for a minute to fix up my new house, and lo the whole year has gone by. My 2021 had serious reading blues in the second half, but I still managed to identify top 10 (or more) reads. All to add to your TBR, of course!
1. Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
I am not going to re-read this in a hurry but still a book that continues to haunt me.
2. Goblin Moon by Teresa Edgerton
What a wonderful blend of genres and book tropes. A masked drug-addicted Zorro figure fighting trolls and wicked mages? Bring it on.
3. Witness for the Dead by Katherine Addison
Good people win. And deserve a second chance. That’s what this book shows.
4. Shit, Actually by Lindy West
Very accurate and hilarious commentary on iconic movies from the past decades. This was so good!
5. Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein
I see now what the fuss was about. A beautiful, heart-warming pocket book of illustrated poetry.
6. Once and Forever by Kenji Miyazawa
Anthologies are not my preferred format but what a wonderful collection of weird, wise and darkly humorous folk tales from Japan.
7. Cat and Mouse by Christianna Brand
A favorite new find for me. Short and a revelation. People, if you have read up Holmes, Sayers, Christie — turn to Brand next.
8. Catherine, Called Birdy by Karen Cushman
Medieval age diary from a super snarky girl set for the marriage block. If you are looking for something laugh-out funny, read this book.
9. Winter Rose by Patricia McKillip
Suspenseful and masterfully written retelling of the ancient Tam Lin legend. Seriously addictive and confounding.
10. Around the World in 80 Trees by Jonathan Drori
Nature (or natural history) is a miracle. This book was an antidote to much of the pandemic blues.
Bonus
11. Twilight of Avalon by Anne Elliott
A solid retelling of Tristan and Isolde legend with superb attention to characterizations and historical research.
12. Wild Sign by Patricia Briggs
A fabulous new book for this long-running Urban Fantasy series about werewolf packs. Spooky, suspenseful roller coaster ride.
13. King of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner
My favorite entry from the series. A cunning spotlight-averse thief (reluctantly) becomes king of the three kingdoms.
14. Tribe of Mentors by Tim Ferriss
Some bite sized practical advice from experts from all walks of life, I read this daily and it was fascinating.
Now it’s your turn! Which were your favorite books of 2021? I am looking forward to catch up with book recs in 2022.
63 replies on “Favorite Books of 2021”
Goblin Moon sounds great! I need to read those Katherine Addison books, heard so many good things about Goblin Emperor.
Goblin Moon is an underrated gem. Don’t go by the cover, wait till Chapter 2 at least, and settle in for a cozy read that just gets better and better.
Shit, Actually sounds like a fun read! I will admit the title grabbed my attention right away.
Pam @ Read! Bake! Create!
https://readbakecreate.com/the-10-best-books-i-read-in-2021/
Haha, it’s a parody for the movie Love, Actually which is one of the critiques in the book. This book is hilarious.
I hope to get to Piranesi next year.
I haven’t thought about Catherine, Called Birdy in years! It was a fantastic read for sure, though. 🙂
My post: https://lydiaschoch.com/top-ten-tuesday-best-books-i-read-in-2021/
I’m glad to come across someone else who’s read it!
I loved Piranesi! What a fascinating and original story. I’m a huge Patricia Briggs fan so I was happy to get a new book this year, although the early Mercy books are still my favorites. Thanks for the recommendations!
My top reads are at https://thebookstop.wordpress.com/2021/12/28/best-books-i-read-in-2021/.
Super, hello to another Mercyverse fan! 🙂
I enjoyed the list! Piranesi’s been sitting on my shelves for awhile now; like Ellie Warren I hope to get to it next year. I haven’t read Katherine Addison’s Goblin Emperor series, but I did read several of her novels when she was writing under the name of Sarah Monette. I very much enjoyed her ability to manipulate language to create a really unforgettable atmosphere. Witness for the Dead sounds like a good place to pick back up with her work!
You’ve actually described Addison’s work really well! The “atmosphere” point is spot on. I didn’t realize Addison used to write as Monette — gives me more of her work to binge on. Thank you!
I’ve had Where the Sidewalk Ends for so long! I need to pick it up!! It seems like a quick read and I’m not sure why I haven’t yet. lol I hope you have an amazing 2022!
Great list! I’ve only read the Shel Silverstein book off this list, but I’ve been meaning to pick up Piranesi for a while.
I really need to get back to the Alpha and Omega series. I LOVED the first one. Thanks for the recommendations! 🙂
Ooh, you’re in for a treat. That series just keeps getting better. 🙂
I love your list! Piranesi is one that I’ve been meaning to pick up, and every time I see a reference to Winter Rose I think that I should re-read it. (I’m not sure where my paperback copy went, though. Hmm.) Happy reading in 2022! I know the feeling of reading blues in the second half of 2021. I know that most of my reads lately have been short and spontaneous, in the hope that it would keep me interested in books.
My TTT: https://bookwyrmknits.com/2021/12/28/top-ten-tuesday-best-books-i-read-in-2021/
Yes, I haven’t dealt well with series reads or voluminous books. You might like Piranesi, but fair warning – that first half of Piranesi is a bit slow, then it picks up like a whirlwind in the second half.
Wow! Shel Silverstein and Karen Cushman are a throwback to my childhood. Great post.
I used to read Where the Sidewalk Ends all the time as a kid. It what give my love for poetry.
I wish I’d read it as a kid. It’s such a lovely book.
Fun list of favorites! Patricia McKillip and Patricia Briggs are two of my favorite authors. 😀
All year I’ve wanted to read Piranesi but I just didn’t get around to it. Hopefully in 2022!
I really enjoyed both the Clarke and the Addison, but I seem to have missed the appearance of the McKillip title, so that’s one for me to seek out in the New Year, I think!
It has a very unique writing style. I don’t count it as a “favorite” but it was mesmerising when I read it. Just couldn’t put it down. Well, guess that’s McKillip for you. I hope you’ll give it a go.
I’ve only read Piranesi from your list and I found it such an interesting book! I really have to read Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell now.
Jonathan Strange is one of top 10 SFF books, hope you’ll like it too!
It makes me happy to see Wild Sign on your list! I love Charles & Anna so much. I loved Piranesi and Witness for the Dead. Both really show that fiction doesn’t have to be long to be powerful! This is a great list — I see a few here that I really need to get to!
“Both really show that fiction doesn’t have to be long to be powerful!” — yes and so well said!
I’m about to get to Piranesi! Can’t wait! I love how unique it sounds. Glad you liked it! Great list!
It’s superb. Be patient with the first 25%, and after that, it’s a rewarding, thought-provoking gem.
I read Where the Sidewalk Ends with my son when he was in elementary school and absolutely fell in love with it.
Nice!! I discovered it rather late myself. Still, better late than never~
I loved Around the World in 80 Trees. And I think it’s wonderful that you are just discovering Where the Sidewalk Ends.
Both books were so much feel-good, a whole new world right at home. 🙂
Yay! I’m so happy Twilight of Avalon made your list. 🙂
It was all thanks to your recommendation!
Lovely list! i really wanted to get to Piranesi. Maybe next year:-)
I remember liking Catherine Called Birdy but it was a very long time ago. I think that is the only one I have read but I really enjoyed The Thief and think I own at least the next in the series so should read that soon.
I like Tam Lin retellings so will have to look for that Patricia McKillip. I remember a really good children’s book of hers called The House on Parchment Street, which I recommend.
Happy 2022! I guess it’s time for me to do my Best of list too. I like the bonus titles!
Ooh, I haven’t read House on Parchment Street. Actually, I want to finish off all of McKillip’s books — even her “worst” works are better than most other authors’ books. Can’t wait to see your favorites of 2021!
Hey Lex welcome back! I’ve missed your posts. 🙂
Goblin moon- what a cover! And I like the look of that short mystery as well…
Haha, thanks Greg! Missed your posts too! Cat and Mouse is cool, and I definitely remember you spotlighting one of its *ahem* interesting covers once…
Happy NY!!!
I always wanted to try Where the Sidewalk Ends. I don’t know much about it, but it feels like it probably has such charm. Happy New Year!
It’s very much charming! The best part is there’s oodles of advice in these poems and in the witty little illustrations next to the poems. Sigh.
I love Patricia A McKillip’s work! It’s been a while since I read one of her books, I really must pick those up again. I enjoyed Winter Rose and also loved the Cygnet duology, Ombria in Shadow and The Changeling Sea.
I love The Changeling Sea! So good to meet another McKillip fan <3
Piranesi has made so many best of lists this year. I need to pick that one up!
Oh, what a great list. I have Piranesi by Susanna Clarke on my wish list and just added a couple of your selections to my wish list too. And, by the way, I love Patricia McKillip have you read The Beast of Eld or any of her earlier works?
Yes! Forgotten Beasts of Eld was my first McKillip book. Then I read Changeling Sea, which is probably my favorite from her books. She is such an amazing author.
Goblin Moon looks intriguing! You piqued my interest in that one! I’ve been meaning to read something by Patricia McKillip at some point too.
Some day, I want to finish reading McKillip’s entire backlist, she is such an amazing author.
Great list! The Patricia Briggs series is on my TBR, I hope to start it next year. Goblin Moon sounds like a fun read!
Goblin Moon was an unexpected surprise, hope you’ll give it a shot!
Hi there Lex! Happy New Year my friend!
I haven’t done a Favorite Books of the year post, will I still do it? Uhmmm, let’s just start with a new year and put 2021 behind us.
I still have the Christina Brand book on my TBR after you’ve recommended it to me. I haven’t decided on my reading challenge this year, but I think it will have to have something to do with my TBR list!
I hope you will have a wonderful new year with some awesome books that you can share with all of us.
Lots of Love,
Mareli & Elza
Thank you, Mareli and Elza! I hope 2022 is a lovely year for you, with some great reads that can wipe out that bleh 2021. 🙂
I cannot believe that I have not read any of these (nope, not even Where the Sidewalk Ends, heh) but I am so glad that you found so many wonderful books in 2021!
I had collected them all based on recs from other bloggers, so I was lucky that way. I hope you get to try some of these in 2022!
Well, you’ve already successfully added one of these to my shelves – Catherine, called Birdy – which I’m very much looking forward to reading.
Lynn 😀
Super! I adore that book~
Great list! I really need to get to Piranesi!!
Here is my list: https://wordsandpeace.com/2022/01/03/year-of-reading-2021-part-1-my-top-18/
I adored Shel Silverstein as a kid! His books are so fun.
Happy TTT (on a Friday)!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
It’s always so fun to read end of year lists! Isn’t Where the Sidewalk Ends wonderful? I still have my childhood copy and turn to it now and then. I got a copy of Piranesi recently and looking forward to it! Here’s wishing you a great reading year!
I’ve already added most of these to my TBR when you reviewed them. I need to check out the ones that I’ve missed.
I did manage to miss the official Top Ten of 2021 for Top Ten Tuesday. The holidays just got so busy!