I recently shared that I had set a goal to read 50 books this year and I am well on my way. In that post I shared my top choices for the Best Books of 2021 (so far) and promised my readers my annual books to read list. Making those choices inspired me to finish up my list and share it here, so with out further ado I give you…
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50 Books to Read this Year
I have broken down this list into some categories to help you quickly choose titles that may be of interest to you. You will notice that they include not only fiction but mystery, fantasy and even self help, but also titles for children and young adults. I enjoy reading young adult fiction and look forward to introducing our son to favorites as he grows.
Fiction
The fiction category is the largest, basically, because I love good fiction. I am particularly drawn to to strong female characters, stories about great friendships and good chick lit.
The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah
Anxious People by Fredrik Backman
The Magic of Found Objects by Maddie Dawson
Loved, loved, loved. I love books with generational stories that explore a person’s motivation in life. As a collector of found things, myself, I was endeared to Tenaj (the hippie mother) from the very beginning. I loved watching their relationship the most, even in the hard parts. Overall, this novel may be a bit predictable, but the journey from point A to point B was definitely not. I can see an opportunity for this book to turn into a series, and I wouldn’t be mad at it. Well done, Ms. Dawson!
My GoodReads Review
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The Music of Bees by Eileen Garvin
The Far Field by Madhuri Vijay
The Bright Side of Going Dark by Kelly Harms
The Seven Day Switch by Kelly Harms
A modern day Freaky Friday re-telling — “The Seven Day Switch” is the perfect summer read. It’s really entertaining, with parts so hilarious I was laughing out loud and others that gave me misty eyes. A lot of the reviews I read afterward expressed that people weren’t interested in the Mommy Wars message and therefore they didn’t like it as much. I get it, but this novel is about getting over yourself and seeing through other women’s experiences. It’s a lesson in widening your horizons and not putting so much pressure on yourself or other women. I really enjoyed it.
I was reading a little each night before bed, but at just about 60% last night, I couldn’t put it down and stayed up until after 1 a.m. finishing it. Add this to your end-of-summer TBR list!
My GoodReads Review
Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Sorry I Missed You by Suzy Krause
At Briarwood School for Girls by Michael Knight
Fish Out of Water by Josie Watts & Janice Whiteaker
He Gets That From Me by Jacqueline Friedland- LGBTQ+ Family Life
All the Right Mistakes by Laura Jamison
The Last Days of Rabbit Hayes by Anna McPartlin
People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
Life’s Too Short by Abby Jimenez
It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover
Fantasy/ Sci Fi
Lately I have been sticking my toes into the Fantasy genre. I have really enjoyed books by V.E. Schwab and the Invisible Life of Addie LaRue made my Best Books list this year list.
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab
I love magic (i.e. Disney & Harry Potter) but I’ve never really gotten into the Fantasy genre besides. At the start of the year, I read the latest released by V.E. Schwab — “The Invisible Life of Addie Larue” — and loved is so much that I looked up what else Victoria Schwab has written.
The Shades of Magic series really piqued my interest, especially when I saw the first book available on Chirp at a huge discount. 🙌🏼
I liked this book, and give it somewhere between 3-4 stars. I can’t give it a solid 4 or 5 stars because although I cared about the characters, the book didn’t make me FEEL much of anything. When I read, I need a story to make me cry, or laugh, or just feel anything the characters are, and the writing never quite took me there. Although it is intended for adults, I think the storytelling comes across a bit YA/teen. I thought the multiverse aspect was really interesting and I enjoyed the main characters. I definitely plan to read the rest of the series.
My GoodReads Review
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
Mystery
While not a hard core Mystery fan I enjoy the occasional who done it. Three mysteries made my reading list this year.
Body on Baker Street by Vicki Delany
The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton
The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
Follow me on Good Reads
I just love reading and writing a review is my favorite way to “finish” a book. If you are on GoodReads, I’d love to connect with you so we can share reviews and book recommendations. I am always looking for books to add to my “To Read” pile.
Biographies & Memoirs
The Ugly Cry by Danielle Henderson
Historical Fiction
Historical Fiction is another favorite genre for me. I love learning interesting facts about our past and other cultures while intrigued by a good story. As you can see by this list I am a big fan of Chanel Cleeton, and while I think all of her books are good, some are great reads and worth the time.
Jo & Laurie by Margaret Stohl & Melissa de la Cruz
The Nature of Fragile Things by Susan Meissner
Girls on the Line by Aimie K. Runyon
When We Left Cuba by Chanel Cleeton
The Last Train to Key West by Chanel Cleeton
The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba by Chanel Cleeton
Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton
Tears of Amber by Sofia Segovia
The Things We Cannot Say by Kelly Rimmer
Young Adult Fiction
As we know Young Adult fiction can easily cross over and become adult fiction classics. Take for instance, Harry Potter (the first novel is on this list!) whose adventures won the hearts and minds of young and old alike. Many young adult titles have meaningful lessons that are appropriate not just for teens.
Only the Pretty Lies by Rebekah Crane
The Odds of Loving Grover Cleveland by Rebekah Crane
The Summer of Everything by Julian Winters
Wayward Son by Rainbow Rowell
I am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sanchez
Dearest Josephine by Caroline George
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K Rowling
Children’s Books
You may be surprised to find kid’s titles on a books to read this year list, but I have a young son and find myself reading with him more and more. Many of the books are quite enjoyable I thought you might love sharing them with your own children. Reading is such a great passion to share and the best way to teach kids to love reading is to demonstrate it.
Letters from Camp by Jamie Lee Curtis, Audible Book
The Islanders by Mary Alice Monroe
Rise of the Earth Dragon by Tracey West
Quintessence by Jess Redman
Self Help
If you read my must read post, you know this Self Help book made the list. I found it to offer concise, applicable, and digestible tips for creating and breaking habits.
Atomic Habits by James Clear
Early Release Reviews
You may not find these books on Amazon JUST YET, but you will want to keep your eyes peeled. I was able to read advance copies of these favs through NetGalley.
Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson
Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult
The Storyteller by Kathryn Williams
Five Freaking Stars. I loved “The Storyteller”! (My only feedback to the contrary is the title, and that’s just because Jodi Picoult has a book by the very same name.) The stories in this book, my goodness. I couldn’t believe my luck in finding a novel that marries my two favorite genres — Historical Fiction and YA. Despite the latter, Evan (a new college-aged friend that Jess makes) was only a few years younger than me in 2007, when the “current” portions of this book took place. I found the pop culture references to be relatable and exciting in a way that I don’t think current 20somethings necessarily would. They won’t detract by any means, but definitely an added perk for me, a YA-fan pushing 40. 👏🏼
🙌🏼 This book is about truth — finding it, knowing it, living it. It makes you think and feel — just what I like in a good story!
My GoodReads Review
The Department of Rare Books and Special Collections by Eva Juczyk
I hope you enjoyed my list of books to read this year. If you have read some of them or do, please share what you think. If you are looking for additional titles, you might want to check out 30 Books to Read in 2020, 2020 Summer Reading List and 2019 Summer Reading List.
Be sure to pin this to your Books Board for future reference!
