Alas, this wasn’t a banger year for my number of books read (shout out to my oldest daughter for her impressive tally of 53 reads!). Previously, I’ve written about how I like to read my way through a Reading Challenge each year, but this year—a combination of the-whole-world’s-gone-crazy and finishing up my master’s degree—threw a wrench in that plan.
I did, however, read some incredibly noteworthy books in 2021. I ticked off a few classics that’ve been on my “To Be Read” list for for-e-ver and discovered some true gems worth sharing.
10 Fave Books I Read This Year
News of the World by Paulette Jiles
I kicked off the year with this little gem not even knowing 1) it is set in Texas (how fun!) and 2) it was just made into a movie. Every once in a while, a book I enjoy will be released as a movie that I also like; for example, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, but that’s a rarity. I really connected with the characters in News and have a vivid picture of them in my mind that I’m hesitant to have ruined by the movie (even if the star is Tom Hanks).
What’s your advice? Did you see the movie? And did you also read the book? What are your thoughts?
Circe by Madeline Miller
I listened to this as an audiobook. Perdita Weeks’s “cool British intonations” really brought the story to life. I actually looked forward to the hour drive to get my daughter to/from school each day. Put this one on your summer beach reads list, or better yet, listen to it on the drive there.
Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb
Confession: I’ve been in therapy since before seeing a therapist was cool. It’s been a lifesaver. If you’ve been wondering whether or not you should talk to someone, this book will help convince you of why it’s such a great idea. It’s funny, gritty, and a bit of a tear-jerker at times. I loved it.
Power: Why Some People Have it and Others Don’t by Jeffrey Pfeffer
It turns out that intelligence, performance, and likeability alone are not the key to moving up in the world of work (or life in general). Networking and self-promotion are the drivers of personal success, and often the hardest for mamas to put into practice. This book explains why these skills are important and offers practical guidance on how to implement them. It was one of the most helpful books I read for grad school.
The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
This is one of the classics on my TBR list that I mentioned earlier and let me tell you it. was. a. beast. to. conquer. I didn’t love it, but I’m so glad I read it and here’s why: THE THEME IS SO IMPORTANT! Sometimes, there’s nothing more fun than a mindless beach read, but books can offer so much more. The classics are worth reading because they dig deeper into important topics and give you a wider perspective on the world.
A Church Called Tov by Scot McKnight & Laura Barringer and
Prayer in the Night by Tish Harrison Warren
These books offer hope and healing as we navigate a world where division and conflict tear us apart. No matter our spiritual backgrounds, I think we can all agree that as humans we need more goodness in our culture and a bit of comfort when we find ourselves weeping or worrying in the night.
{Related: Even More Book Recommendations!}
Book clubs aren’t just for girlfriends, they’re for families, too! The next three reads on my list are books I recommend for parents to read along with their kids. What a great way to get off screens and into a shared bonding activity.
Paperboy by Vince Vawter
I picked up this book after seeing a review comparing it To Kill a Mockingbird (one of my top 10 all-time favorite books), and I’m so glad I did. This book is very accessible for younger readers. An added bonus is that the author wrote it based on his own experiences growing up, so it’s not only engaging, but personal.
A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry
I learned so much from this play. It’s set in Chicago in the 1950s and explores the hopes, struggles, and dreams of urban Black families during this time. It’s a great conversation starter about important issues we need to be having with our kiddos.
The Call of the Wild by Jack London
I don’t know how I missed reading this book growing up. It has everything young readers love: animals, adventure, and courage; as well as everything parents love: animals, adventure, and SUPERB VOCABULARY-BUILDING prose. I’m telling you, not a page went by where I was not in awe of the writing, the plot development, and the call to wild adventure.
And last but certainly not least…
The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles
I can’t even with this book. It’s a masterpiece. Just go ahead and get it. It’s about to get cold in Texas, so cozy up with a comfy blanket, a warm fire, a hot cup of tea, and enjoy. You’re welcome.
Comment with your favorite reads of 2021!
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Hey girl, you may not remember me from LCA days, but I enjoy reading your posts. See the movie. It’s good, but know that the book is richer! Kind of like “Mockingbird” movie version. You can’t go wrong with Gregory Peck or Tom Hanks. I will give Paperboy a try, but I’m skeptical of books compared to Mockingbird. You should read Ordinary Grace, which also compared itself to Mockingbird. Uh, no it wasn’t. But it was still a good story with the small town vibe.
Allison! Remember you? OF COURSE! Amazing teacher, co-worker, and mom to one of my favorite set of twins 🙂 Thank you for your suggestions! I will for sure check them out.