At the beginning of 2020, a friend and I set up a reading challenge on Goodreads to read 50 books by the end of the year. While I didn’t reach my goal, I did manage to finish 40 books this year, which I am very proud of! Growing up I read so much, but when things got busy in high school and college, I stopped reading for fun all together. I’m so glad I picked up this hobby again because it’s brought me so much joy, especially in a year like this one!
Of all the books I’ve read this year, here are my top 10 favorites. Have you read any of these before? If so, let me know your thoughts in the comments!
Where the Crawdads Sing – Delia Owens
This tops the list as one of my favorite books of all time. It’s an incredible coming of age story about a girl who lives on her own, learning about the world through the marsh she calls home. The imagery is so pure and beautiful. I didn’t want to put this book down! Absolutely recommend this book for anyone who enjoys mysteries and wholesome reads!
Small Great Things – Jodi Picoult
Ruth Jefferson, a black nurse, incorrectly gets accused of murdering a baby by white supremacist parents, and the trial and journey that unfolds is so eye-opening and devastating. I felt so angry reading this book, which dives into racial issues in America. It is certainly timely with the Black Lives Matter movement, and a must-read especially in today’s climate.
The Great Alone – Kristin Hannah
Kristin Hannah writes one of my other favorite books of all time, The Nightingale. The Great Alone tells the story of a 13 year old girl named Leni who moves to Alaska with her family, and struggles to survive and find herself in the unknown. It’s heartbreaking yet hopeful at the same time. It’s quite long and starts out a bit slow, but stick with it for a captivating story you won’t forget.
Party of Two – Jasmine Guillory
Jasmine Guillory is the queen of light-hearted romance novels! All her characters are so fun and relatable, and you can’t help but root for them. The protagonists are usually BIPOC which is always a plus! In Party of Two, a lawyer meets a man at a hotel bar and sparks fly between them… only for her to find out that he is a US Senator! They try to keep their romance a secret at first, but when they go public, will things work out?
A Very Large Expanse of Sea – Tahereh Mafi
I never thought I’d put a Young Adult book on this list, but wow. This was amazing. Shirin is a 16 year old Muslim girl who wears a hijab and is constantly attacked for her race. The book takes place in 2002 after the events of 9/11, when tensions are deep. This coming of age love story tackles racism and vulnerability in such a beautiful way that brought me to tears!
It Ends With Us – Colleen Hoover
Colleen Hoover tends to tackle heavy topics and this book is no different. What a raw and powerful story about breaking the cycle of domestic violence and finding your inner strength. The feminist in me was cheering so hard for the main character. This book was devastating at times, but so inspirational. I couldn’t put it down and finished the entire thing in a night.
How to Walk Away – Katherine Center
Maggie Jacobsen is living the dream — she has the perfect job, the perfect fiancé, and everything all figured out. That is, until she gets in a plane crash that changes everything. As she recovers and rediscovers her identity in this new normal, she receives some tough love that may forever change her life. This book was such a quick read — I finished the entire thing on a train ride!
Know My Name – Chanel Miller
The Brock Turner case was the trial heard around the world, but you may not know the woman behind Emily Doe. Chanel Miller takes us through that night, the events leading up to the trial, and the aftermath of everything that occurred. She exposes the deep injustices in our legal system and writes beautifully with metaphors that make you understand so clearly how she felt. So raw and powerful.
Homegoing – Yaa Gyasi
Homegoing follows the parallel paths of two half-sisters and their descendants, spanning across eight generations. It takes you on a journey from the Gold Coast to the American slave plantations, the Civil War to modern day California. I usually read books quickly or listen to them on double-speed, but this is a book that you want to take your time with. It’s so poignant and really makes you stop and think.
Educated – Tara Westover
Born to survivalist parents in Idaho, Tara Westover lived a sheltered and isolated life where every day was spent preparing for the end of the world. Having never stepped foot in a school, she gets accepted to college and discovers the world through a whole new perspective. Her quest for knowledge takes her on a journey across states and oceans. Such a heartbreaking yet inspiring memoir.
What was your favorite book you read this year? Feel free to share any recommendations for me to add to my 2021 Reading List!
