I have returned from the land of the quasi-living! Also known as work and grad school (and my severe avoidance of sitting down on my computer for long periods of time). And thensome, I suppose.
I’m probably going to ease into blogging about books and writing (and food and fandoming) in a less arduous manner, but with me taking only the one class next semester for school, and school being what it is at the moment, I can see more writing in my future!
But first! We’ll make it easy this week and next with some bookish reflections, yes?
Best 10 Books I’ve Read in 2021
In no particular order…
The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin – This book was a sucker punch I did not expect. I mean, sure, I love my fair share of fantasy, and I knew I was going to love this book, too, but it still was a sucker punch! All good things, though.
The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune – This was an adorable book! I loved it for the messages of acceptance it held. Also, it gave me Miss Peregrine’s orphanage vibes, but in a better way.
Six of Crows / Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo – It’s hard to believe that this was the year of Bardugo’s destruction of my reading list. I’m out of Bardugo novels to read at this point. I’m out of Bardugo novels to buy at this point, too (though I am not above getting special editions of her Grishaverse…). But this duology in general was chef’s kiss perfect.
The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel – I suppose once a year I get into reading some WWII novel that really interests me, and this was the case of The Book of Lost Names. Of the WWII books I’ve read this year, I loved this one best, despite my not liking one of the characters much.
Our Violent Ends by Chloe Gong – I am still dead inside over this book. Holy hell, I have never been a big fan of insta-love, starcrossed lovers tropes, but Chloe Gong made me believe again. Or maybe it’s the enemies-to-lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers trope that truly got me. Or the fact that this book was taking place in the 1920s. Or Shanghai. In any case, IT HURT SO GOOD.
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia – A pleasant addition to my list of top tens this year! I listened to this in audiobook form because I didn’t have many expectations going in (also, not a big fan of Gothic fiction in general), but I was really entertained by this! Despite all the gross descriptions of the scene and of characters, I was too riveted by what was going to happen next.\
The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch – I’ve been meaning to read more adult fantasy, but alas, I’ve fallen short this year once again. That being said, whenever I do read adult fantasy, I always end up raving about them. This is the same case for Locke Lamora. I mean sure, it’s also got a gang of thieves wreaking havoc among the city, but I have my fictional character weaknesses, always.
Shades of Magic: Vol. 2, Night of Knives by V.E. Schwab – The entire trilogy of The Steel Prince comic volumes was fantastic, and I will always want more Shades of Magic stories. The second volume of the comics was my favorite, though, because it took me back to the Essen Tasch in A Gathering of Shadows and it. Was. Glorious.
Wonder by R.J. Palacio – I’ve put in one of my grad school readings here because funnily enough, I’d never actually read Wonder, despite this book floating around my 5th grade classroom when I was still teaching fifth grade. It was truly a heartfelt book, and I definitely cried at least once…or twice…reading the book.
By the beginning of the next year, I might even have more reflections! And certainly a handful of book reviews that I’ve been neglecting writing for months…
Story and Somnomancy 
Thanks for sharing these books. I am definitely trying to read more next year.
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I loved The House in the Cerulean Sea this year, too. Great list!
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