While the blog’s been on unplanned hiatus due to Covid-era weariness and needing to place my attention on other things, there’s been some reading going on here.
Here are my top 10 favorites this year…
Fiction
Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi
3 words: literary, complex, introspective
Give this book a whirl if you like… literary fiction, novels by Black authors, stories of immigration, scientists doing experimental research, exploring faith vs science, novels about depression
The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
3 words: heartwarming, quirky, character-driven
Give this book a whirl if you like… stories of found family, fantasy for readers who don’t love fantasy, orphanages, amazing teachers, LGBTQIA+ fiction, #ownvoices, books about kindness
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
3 words: absorbing, layered, character-driven
Give this book a whirl if you like… #ownvoices contemporary/historical fiction, stories about race, books about twins, novels with two timeframes, stories about loss, interwoven narratives
Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson
3 words: irreverent, surprising, engaging
Give this book a whirl if you like… a touch of magical realism, first person narratives, twins, unconventional nannies, quirky characters, politicians in fiction, female friendship
Plain Bad Heroines by Emily M. Danforth
3 words: clever, layered, creative
Give this book a whirl if you like… blend of Gothic horror and contemporary realism, smart humor, dual narratives, LGBTQIA+ fiction, boarding school setting, Hollywood setting, meta-fiction, footnotes in fiction, horror novels for people who don’t like horror novels
Nonfiction
The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America’s Great Migration by Isabel Wilkerson
3 words: narrative, absorbing, poignant
Give this book a whirl if you like… learning about the Great Migration, narrative nonfiction, lyrical writing, #ownvoices nonfiction, individual stories interwoven in a larger historical context
A Guide to the Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy by William B. Irvine
3 words: joyful, quietly enthusiastic, encouraging
Give this book a whirl if you like… developing a philosophy for living, envisioning the worst so you can appreciate what you you have, finding peace, diminishing anxiety
How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
3 words: powerful, thoughtful, thought-provoking
Give this book a whirl if you like… learning about anti-racism, actionable guidance, Black authors, a blend of sociology and memoir, #ownvoices nonfiction, introspective narratives, an invitation to become a better human
The Passage of Power by Robert A. Caro
3 words: in-depth, psychological, heroic
Give this book a whirl if you like… reading about the JFK/LBJ transition, LBJ’s first months in the presidency, a person being his best self, moving from despair to triumph, political power
Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear
3 words: practical, encouraging, totally do-able
Give this book a whirl if you like… customizable tactics for adding good habits and eliminating bad ones, research-backed strategies, a conversational tone, small steps that can make a big difference
What were your favorite books this year? I’d love to add them to my TBR…
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