I’ve loved books my whole life. When I was growing up, my mother took us to the library each week during the summer. As an adult, a lot of my reads for many years were books related to design, art and teaching. Once in a while, I go on a mystery binge. Fiction, non-fiction, historical novels, I love them all. Recently, when COVID-19 entered our lives, I started reading even more. Travel was restricted, but books allowed me to go to other places and brought other worlds into my own. My reading has continued with great enthusiasm (I now belong to 2 book clubs)! So, here we go, with my favorite books read in 2021.
American Dirt
by Jeanine Cummins
After her husband is murdered, Lydia and her son must flee their Mexican home. Their dangerous journey is filled with terror and anxiety. The story demystifies and humanizes what some may view as the anonymous facelessness of Central and South Americans who suddenly find themselves living as migrants. Compelling, compassionate page-turner, at the top of my list of favorite books!
Americanah
by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Ifemelu and Obinze are Nigerian teenagers in love and have exciting, idealistic plans for the future. Bureaucratic obstacles lead them in unexpected directions, apart from one another. Ifemelu studies at a U.S. college, while Obinze finds himself in London. Each faces situations that force them to examine their blackness from new perspectives. A cross between mystery and drama, with nuances of race relations mixed in, this book is a fascinating and satisfying read.
Pachinko
by Min Jin Lee
Historical saga of a Korean family, spanning four generations, starting with Sunja’s modest life in a small coastal village. Vivid cultural details and great character development. I knew very little about Korea and the complicated relationship between Korea and Japan. My eyes were opened and my heart was touched, making this a favorite book for the year.
The Kitchen House
by Kathleen Grissom
An orphaned white girl, Lavinia, is placed as an indentured servant on a tobacco plantation. She lives and works with the kitchen house slaves, under the care of the master’s illegitimate daughter, Belle. Despite her whiteness, Lavinia is gradually accepted and nurtured by Belle and her family. The complex straddling of two worlds is interwoven with deep-seated racial tensions and deeply-buried secrets. It’s a story of love, loyalty, and hope that expands the meaning of family.
My friend, Tina, recommended this book to me and I’m so glad she did!
The Leavers: A Novel
Lisa Ko
The disappearance of Polly, an undocumented Chinese immigrant in New York City, leaves her son, Deming, confused and sad. He is adopted by well-meaning white professors in upstate New York and begins a life of assimilation. Despite the support and gentle prodding of his adoptive parents, it is not a smooth transition. Deming’s struggles are juxtaposed with the gradual unfolding of Polly’s experience.
I liked this book a lot. I thought it portrayed the challenges of cross-cultural adoption very well. It felt authentic. The author did a good job of making the reader understand all perspectives. My nephew is adopted, so it had a personal aspect for me.
The Light of Days
Judy Batalion
Well-researched case studies of several women who were key figures in the Polish resistance during WWII. Their pivotal roles in the fight against the Nazis is vividly revealed, making this a difficult yet important read. It was sometimes hard to digest the horrible details and despair. Ranging from traditional responsibilities as teachers and cooks to unconventional jobs as couriers, smugglers, and spies, each woman faced frightening, harrowing situations. Remarkable heroines. I am grateful for their strength and courage!
The Mistress of the Ritz
Melanie Benjamin
The unlikely marriage of an aspiring American actress, Blanche, and suave French manager of the Ritz Hotel in Paris, Claude, is portrayed in the context of World War II. The privileged world of the Ritz is a beacon for movie stars, famous novelists, and heads of state. With the onset of war and the Nazi occupation, this world begins to change, especially when the Nazis decide to use the Ritz as their headquarters. Unexpectedly, Blanche and Claude both become resisters, yet hide this activity from one another.
As a Jewish history buff, I am drawn to novels about the resistance. There were interesting twists and mysteries in this book that I really enjoyed. The character development was good, and made me empathize with this unusual couple.
The Nightingale
Kristin Hannah
Intense, gripping, remarkable story of two sisters in WWII occupied France. One sister, Vianne, lives in the quiet countryside. She watches with disbelief as the Nazis invade France and infiltrate her remote village. Alarmed when her home is requisitioned by a German captain, Vianne make a series of impossible choices in order to survive. The other sister, Isabelle, is rebellious, passionate, and searching for meaning. She joins the Resistance, risking her life in a succession of missions. Isabelle is guided by her principles and strength.
The widely different paths each sister takes are action-packed and I couldn’t wait to see what happened next. Another wonderful choice at the top of my favorite books list. Loved it. Reminded me of two things:
- We can never know how we would behave in any situation until we actually live through it.
- We should never judge people’s choices.
The Secret Life of Bees
Sue Monk Kidd
A perfect title for Lily Owens’ heart-filled, poignant, deeply touching, metaphorical coming of age journey. Living on a South Carolina peach farm with her abusive father and vague memories of her deceased mother, Lily is determined to unravel the mystery of her mother’s past. She flees with her nanny, Rosaleen, to Tiburon, where Lily believes her mother once lived. They find refuge with three African-American, beekeeping sisters. Enveloped by the sisters’ warmth and support, Lily learns about the world of bees, divine woman power, and her role in her mother’s death.
I adored this book, which is filled with love, forgiveness, humor, and compassion. We witness all of life’s mysteries, instincts, and miracles in a redefinition of family. Right up my alley!
What Are Your Fave Books for 2021?
I’d love to hear what your favorite books of the year are. I’m always adding to my “to read” list. Let’s share: leave a comment!
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Hi my dear,
I cannot believe we have never talked books together! I too, spent hours in the library as a child, and the library card’s power was so deep that wherever I moved, it was the first thing I signed up for in my new community. I loved many of your favorites from 2021.
Here are a few I have enjoyed in 2022, as well:
Ayad Akhtar – American Dervish
Nikole Hannah-Jones – 1619 Project
Sue Stuart-Smith – The Well-Gardened Mind
Sofi Thanhauser – Worn
Qian Julie Wang – Beautiful Country
A friend in Pennsylvania has invited me to join her book club when i get up there in two weeks. Looking forward to that immensely. I will say that WORN, really spoke to me, a history of cloth and cloth making from cotton, flax, silk, wool and more in the world since the 1500’s, and the devastation to the planet as a result. (I used to sew my own clothes in high school) but regardless, I was mesmerized by the horrific textile making history that is one more violent deed we have done to the earth. 1619 bears no need for review, I am sure you have heard about it. I found it fascinating, wish I had been taught all this in school fifty years ago, and truly eye-opening. WELL-GARDENED MIND is from a British writer. I know you will love it. I actually bought it because it contained so much beauty, I had to refer to it often.
Enjoy.
All my love,
lisa
OMG, it’s crazy that we’ve never talked books!
Great suggestions you’ve got, I am not familiar with any of them!! Thank you for sharing. Adding them to my “TO READ” and online library lists right now….
Wow! What a book-alert blog!
With a few deft sentences, Anne captures the essence of each book. And each quickie revu is compelling because Anne frames them in terms of her own experiences.
I love this blog! Keep the revus coming, Anne!
“The Light of Days,” “The Mistress of the Ritz,” and “The Nightingale” sound like terrific thrillers. I’m gonna get ’em this weekend!!
Thank you so much, Paul, for your wonderful feedback and for inspiring me to write this post!
Wonderfully written, Anne! Your lively personalized mini-reviews are the perfect way to introduce potential readers to new books!
P.S. My friend Dusty Miller’s “Danger Within,” the 5th in her Alice Ott mystery series, is also a fun new read. This one interested me because the events take place in both Massachusetts and Florida, where we lived the past few years. Those who’ve read her previous books will recognize the varied and quirky characters. As always, Dusty deftly mixes mystery with social justice issues.
Thanks Peggy! Dusty’s recent book is a great read for sure!
Anne, thank you for your list of 2021 Favorite Books. A very interesting, eclectic, and worthwhile list. You may already know about the show based on the novel “Pachinko,” recently released as a TV series on Apple TV+, which I’m following. The reviews I’ve read give it high marks on a number of levels, and your description is right on!
Fabulous!! Thanks.
I have read 3 of your 10! There are a couple that I will add to my reading list!
Two that I enjoyed this year were:
The Lincoln Highway, Armor Towles
The Night Watchman, Louise Erdich (or The Sentence – by Louise Erdich)
and – one from years ago that I just hated that it ended:
A Fine Balance, Rohinton Mistry
I was thinking you’d enjoy this list 🙂
Recently, I read The Night Watchman and it may make the top 10 for 2022. Really lovely, sensitive portrayal of Native Americans and a specific struggle.
I am not familiar with your other suggestions and will add them to my “TO READ” list. Thank you!
I really, really, really loved The Secret Life of Bees. A Fine Balance was one of my favorite ever books.
My favorite of 2021 was This Is Happiness by Niall Williams.
Great! I’ll check out the books you loved, thanks for sharing.