Best Books of 2021: A Yearly Book Roundup

Welcome to my yearly book roundup! This is a longer post, so bear with me, but it’s broken up by category to make it easier to find a book you might enjoy. Last year my reading goal was to read 50 books. This year I chose to not give myself a number goal for books read. Instead, I simply wanted to see how many books I could read in a year with no restriction on page length. I wanted to take that pressure off, so I told myself to simply read as much as I could or wanted to this year, without it becoming a burden.

Now For The Stats

In total I read 68 books, divided almost done the middle between genres (Nonfiction: 36 and Fiction: 32). I mentioned before there was no restriction on length. My choices ranged from under 200 pages to over 800 pages. Page length can sometimes feel like a roadblock to our reading life, but I gave myself permission to read short and longer books even if that meant reading fewer books overall.

One thing I paid particular attention to as I read was the publishing date of each book. Typically, I have a hard time keeping up with recently published titles, but this year I read 12 books published in 2020 and 2021. Surprisingly, the highest number of books read (19) this year were published before 2010. The other year that stood out was 2017, with 12 books published in that year.

Now, to the books!

To the Books

I’ve broken down my top books of 2021 into three categories including five books in each. The categories are Fiction, Non-fiction, and Christian Non-fiction. These categories were chosen as a result of what I found on my books read list. They were not chosen as goals to work toward. One of the top genres present on my list was Christian Non-fiction, and many of the books I chose as favorites were also in this category. The books listed under each category are not ranked in any particular order.

Fiction

One goal for this year was to focus more on good fiction, which I feel I met in 2021. While there were some outstanding fiction novels read this year, there were also some I nearly scratched off my list altogether.

Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant
Published in 2017 and clocking in at 562 pages, this book has stuck with my all year, and is the reason I will never travel to the Mariana Trench. Here’s a short synopsis:

“The ocean is home to many myths, but some are deadly. . . Seven years ago the Atargatis set off on a voyage to the Mariana Trench to film a mockumentary bringing to life ancient sea creatures of legend. It was lost at sea with all hands. Some have called it a hoax; others have called it a tragedy.

Now a new crew has been assembled. But this time they’re not out to entertain. Some seek to validate their life’s work. Some seek the greatest hunt of all. Some seek the truth. But for the ambitious young scientist Victoria Stewart this is a voyage to uncover the fate of the sister she lost.

Whatever the truth may be, it will only be found below the waves. But the secrets of the deep come with a price.”

The first description I heard of this book was mermaid horror with the recommendation not to read it near open water. From that moment on, I was hooked. I knew I needed to read this book, and it did not disappoint. My mind continually comes back to this book, and I am still fascinated with what I found between its pages. I’ve told my dear husband several times that this one needs to be on his list. He hasn’t said yes yet, but I’ll get him to read it eventually. I rated this book a 5/5 and read it in 10 days.
A note: if you’re squeamish about blood and gore in movies, this may not be the book for you. The descriptions are quite vivid—I had to put the book down a few times—and spare no detail to the destruction experienced by the characters.

Still Life by Louise Penny
Published in 2008, this 314-page novel is the first installment of the Chief Inspector Gamache series which I heard so much about this year. Here’s a short synopsis:

“Chief Inspector Armand Gamache of the Surêté du Québec and his team of investigators are called in to the scene of a suspicious death in a rural village south of Montreal. Jane Neal, a local fixture in the tiny hamlet of Three Pines, just north of the U.S. border, has been found dead in the woods. The locals are certain it’s a tragic hunting accident and nothing more, but Gamache smells something foul in these remote woods, and is soon certain that Jane Neal died at the hands of someone much more sinister than a careless bowhunter.”

For those who enjoy watching a good police procedural without dealing with all the gore, this is a perfect choice. You can enjoy all the delights of seeing Inspector Gamache work through the process of investigating a crime without the sometimes traumatic descriptions of the body. Before jumping into this read, I heard so much about the series that I wondered if it would actually live up to the hype, and I’m glad to say it does. I gave this a 4/5.

Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate
Published in 2017, this debut 378-page novel swept through reading circles across the U.S., first crossing my path in 2018. Here’s a synopsis:

“Memphis, 1939. Twelve-year-old Rill Foss and her four younger siblings live a magical life aboard their family’s Mississippi River shantyboat. But when their father must rush their mother to the hospital one stormy night, Rill is left in charge—until strangers arrive in force. Wrenched from all that is familiar and thrown into a Tennessee Children’s Home Society orphanage, the Foss children are assured that they will soon be returned to their parents—but they quickly realize the dark truth. At the mercy of the facility’s cruel director, Rill fights to keep her sisters and brother together in a world of danger and uncertainty.

Aiken, South Carolina, present day. Born into wealth and privilege, Avery Stafford seems to have it all: a successful career as a federal prosecutor, a handsome fiancé, and a lavish wedding on the horizon. But when Avery returns home to help her father weather a health crisis, a chance encounter leaves her with uncomfortable questions and compels her to take a journey through her family’s long-hidden history, on a path that will ultimately lead either to devastation or to redemption.”

This was another book that received tons of attention and garnered acclaim as soon as it hit the shelves. Having grown up in Memphis, Tennessee, and frequently witnessing the turbulent, unforgiving waters of the Mississippi River, this book hit close to home. Based on true events “in which Georgia Tann, director of a Memphis-based adoption organization, kidnapped and sold poor children to wealthy families all over the country,” this book will leave you guessing. It’s both a wonderful read and a heartbreaking story. I hope you love it as much as I did. I rated this a 5/5.

What She Knew by Gilly MacMillan
Published in 2015 and a total of 524 pages, MacMillan’s book landed on my lap by pure accident. I knew nothing of it or her writing until I cracked it open, and I couldn’t put it down the whole time. Here’s a synopsis:

“In a heartbeat, everything changes… Rachel Jenner is walking in a Bristol park with her eight-year-old son, Ben, when he asks if he can run ahead. It’s an ordinary request on an ordinary Sunday afternoon, and Rachel has no reason to worry—until Ben vanishes.
Police are called, search parties go out, and Rachel, already insecure after her recent divorce, feels herself coming undone. As hours and then days pass without a sign of Ben, everyone who knew him is called into question, from Rachel’s newly married ex-husband to her mother-of-the-year sister. Inevitably, media attention focuses on Rachel too, and the public’s attitude toward her begins to shift from sympathy to suspicion.
As she desperately pieces together the threadbare clues, Rachel realizes that nothing is quite as she imagined it to be, not even her own judgment. And the greatest dangers may lie not in the anonymous strangers of every parent’s nightmares, but behind the familiar smiles of those she trusts the most. Where is Ben? The clock is ticking…”

Each chapter ended with me frantically turning the page asking, “What happened?!” As a mother, my heart broke reading this book, and I felt like I was right there with Rachel as she realized her son was gone. If you can handle reading about child abduction, this is well worth the read. Plus, it’s set in England, and I love books set in England. I rated this a 5/5.

The Screwtape Letters by C. S. Lewis
Originally published in 1942 (I read a 2009 reprint, including Screwtape Proposes a Toast) and a mere 222 pages long. Here’s a short synopsis:

“The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis is a classic masterpiece of religious satire that entertains readers with its sly and ironic portrayal of human life and foibles from the vantage point of Screwtape, a highly placed assistant to “Our Father Below.” At once wildly comic, deadly serious, and strikingly original, C.S. Lewis’s The Screwtape Letters is the most engaging account of temptation—and triumph over it—ever written.”

Like most, I read The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe as a child, but sadly never read many other books in the series, a problem I hope to fix one day. Similarly, I’d never picked up a non-fiction work by the great author. I felt like I was seeing the world backwards while reading it, as it’s written from the perspective of a demon (Screwtape), and I felt myself being challenged and pushed, probably, exactly as the writer intended. If you’ve never picked this one up or thought it too intellectual for you to read, I highly encourage you to give it a try. I rated this a 5/5.

Non-Fiction

The Power of Writing It Down: A Simple Habit to Unlock Your Brain and Reimagine Your Life by Allison Fallon
Published in 2021 and only 224 pages, this was among my first 10 books of the year. Here’s a brief synopsis:

“Discover the power of (finally) getting unstuck, claiming your clarity, and becoming the person whose life you want to live–all through a simple self-care practice you can build into your daily routine.
For anyone who’s trying to make sense of their life, who wants to get unstuck from the patterns that hold them back, hear this incredible news: everything you need for the freedom you want is entirely within reach. This practice and pathway is free, it’s readily available every day of your life, it takes just minutes of your time, and anyone can do it… As it turns out, using your words is one of the most powerful means you have for unlocking your life.”

I’ve always been a journaler, which is what initially drew me to this book. I love to write for you, reader, but I also use writing as a way to process what’s happening in my life. The scientific evidence provided in the book was fascinating, Fallon is an excellent writer, and the cost of beginning this self-care practice is as much as you want to spend on a notebook and a pen. I rated this 5/5.

Try Softer: A Fresh Approach to Move Us Out of Anxiety, Stress, and Survival Mode—and Into a Life of Connection and Joy by Aundi Kolber
Published in 2020, therapist Kolber only needed the first few pages out of 246 to help me come to terms with the fact that I might need to seek therapy. Here’s a short synopsis:

“In a world that preaches a “try harder” gospel—just keep going, keep hustling, keep pretending we’re all fine—we’re left exhausted, overwhelmed, and so numb to our lives. If we’re honest, we’ve been overfunctioning for so long, we can’t even imagine another way. How else will things get done? How else will we survive? It doesn’t have to be this way.

Aundi Kolber believes that we don’t have to white-knuckle our way through life. In her debut book, Try Softer, she’ll show us how God specifically designed our bodies and minds to work together to process our stories and work through obstacles. Through the latest psychology, practical clinical exercises, and her own personal story, Aundi equips and empowers us to connect us to our truest self and truly live. This is the “try softer” life.”

First, this book should not replace the relationship between you and your therapist. While it is an invaluable resource for those who need extra help, you should not give up on going to therapy. I remember reading the first chapter sitting on my couch, hidden from my husband’s view by his computer. As I read and her gentle words touched on an old, old unhealed wound tears poured down my cheeks. If you’re considering going to therapy, if you have something in your past you never had the chance to heal from or that continues to haunt you, this might be a good resource. I rated this book a 5/5.

Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow
Published in 2005 and clocking in at a whopping 818 pages this is, by far, the longest book I read this year, and yes, it is that book. You know, the one that’s now a Broadway musical. Here’s a short synopsis:

“Few figures in American history have been more hotly debated or more grossly misunderstood than Alexander Hamilton. Chernow’s biography gives Hamilton his due and sets the record straight, deftly illustrating that the political and economic greatness of today’s America is the result of Hamilton’s countless sacrifices to champion ideas that were often wildly disputed during his time… Chernow here recounts Hamilton’s turbulent life: an illegitimate, largely self-taught orphan from the Caribbean, he came out of nowhere to take America by storm, rising to become George Washington’s aide-de-camp in the Continental Army, coauthoring The Federalist Papers, founding the Bank of New York, leading the Federalist Party, and becoming the first Treasury Secretary of the United States. Historians have long told the story of America’s birth as the triumph of Jefferson’s democratic ideals over the aristocratic intentions of Hamilton. Chernow presents an entirely different man, whose legendary ambitions were motivated not merely by self-interest but by passionate patriotism and a stubborn will to build the foundations of American prosperity and power. His is a Hamilton far more human than we’ve encountered before—from his shame about his birth to his fiery aspirations, from his intimate relationships with childhood friends to his titanic feuds with Jefferson, Madison, Adams, Monroe, and Burr, and from his highly public affair with Maria Reynolds to his loving marriage to his loyal wife Eliza. And never before has there been a more vivid account of Hamilton’s famous and mysterious death in a duel with Aaron Burr in July of 1804.”

To be perfectly honest, I had no clue of the length of this book prior to checking it out at my local library. This is an unusual choice of book for me, as I don’t normally gravitate toward this genre or type of reading material, but I’ll admit from the very first page I was riveted. Based on the events of his life alone, this would make for good reading material, but adding in the flair and flourish of Chernow’s research made it an un-put-downable book. I’m not kidding here. I found myself opening it up when we watched cartoons on the couch, while I waited for water to boil in the kitchen, and after putting my son to bed at night. It’s a big commitment, especially for those who don’t like to read long books, but it’s worth the time investment. I rated this a 5/5.

The Actor’s Life: A Survival Guide by Jenna Fischer
Published in 2017, this is a 252-page book with the nuts and bolts of getting started with your acting career (a natural choice of book for me.) Here’s a short synopsis:

“Jenna Fischer’s Hollywood journey began at the age of 22 when she moved to Los Angeles from her hometown of St. Louis. With a theater degree in hand, she was determined, she was confident, she was ready to work hard. So, what could go wrong?

Uh, basically everything. The path to being a professional actor was so much more vast and competitive than she’d imagined. It would be eight long years before she landed her iconic role on The Office, nearly a decade of frustration, struggle, rejection and doubt.

If only she’d had a handbook for the aspiring actor. Or, better yet, someone to show her the way—an established actor who could educate her about the business, manage her expectations, and reassure her in those moments of despair. Jenna wants to be that person for you.”

If we’ve ever met in person, you know I am not an actor, but I got this recommendation from a trusted source and had to give it a try. If you read it for nothing but the personal anecdotes of the author, it’s a good book. Although well outside my comfort zone and career path, I was fascinated by what it takes to make it as an actor, and how your big break is almost never anything but a mixture of hard work and luck. Plus, you get to see some of Fischer’s first headshots, which is completely worth it. I rated this book a 4/5.

Cozy Minimalist Home: More Style, Less Stuff by Myquillyn Smith
Published in 2018 and 220 pages long, this book is both practical and full of stylish pictures. Here’s a brief synopsis:

“Writing for the hands-on woman who’d rather move her own furniture than hire a designer, Smith helps you think through every room in your house, one purposeful design decision at a time. With people, priorities, and purpose in mind, you can create a warm, inviting, and timeless home that transcends the latest trends and centers around your personal style.
You’ll have the tools to create a home you’re proud of in a way that honors your unique priorities, budget, and taste. And best of all, you can completely transform your home starting with furniture and décor that you already have!”

What I loved about this book was the emphasis on using what you already have in your home. I didn’t feel like I needed to raid the home section of Target for all the things after reading each chapter. Smith takes you through the process of looking at your house and truly seeing it for the potential it has. We all know there’s always something (or a list of them) that we’d like to change about our homes but using her method you can learn to love your home again by adding or subtracting in strategic places. I rated this a 5/5.

Christian Non-Fiction

Searching For Certainty: Finding God in the Disruptions of Life by Shelly Miller
Published in 2020, this lovely book came across my phone after the sad news of the author’s death that same year. It is 232 pages long, and here’s a short synopsis:

“We all long for certainty in life, yet things often don’t go as we expect. When facing illness, job loss, strained relationships, and other struggles, our impulse is to question God and strive to fix things ourselves.

In this book, Shelly Miller, a trusted ministry leader, explores how difficult times can actually be purposeful times of spiritual growth. Weaving the exodus story from the Bible with her own story, she shares how to focus on God rather than trying to overcome challenges in our own limited strength. Each chapter features a simple spiritual practice to help us enjoy the peace and security that is only possible through Christ. Uncertain seasons will soon be translated as an aha instead of an oh no.”

I loved this book for many reasons, but chief among them was simply her writing style. It was a joy to read purely by how lovely her words are put together. If you enjoy reading about people living abroad, this is a good choice, as well. Miller lived in London with her husband since 2015. Reading this book, it was clear God’s hand was at work in the timing of its publishing. In 2020 when all our lives were upended by Covid, this little book came out about finding God in the disruptions (the cancelled events, the deletion of normal from our everyday lives). I cannot recommend this book highly enough, and I only wish the author was still here to see how her book is changing lives. I rated this a 5/5.

Stay: Discovering Grace, Freedom, and Wholeness Where You Never Imagined Looking by Anjuli Paschall
Published in 2020, this 197-page read accompanied me on my husband and I’s trip to L.A. in October. Here’s a short synopsis:

“As women, we are exhausted. Our hearts are being wrung out to dry – squeezed and yanked in every direction. We take care of everyone but ourselves. We’ve gotten lost in bedtime routines and our Costco lists. We have lost our voices in the storm of everyday life. We need to be reminded to reach inward and heed the quiet voice whispering, Stay.
This book is for anyone who longs for a connection with God and his people but can’t seem to escape the haunting feelings of guilt, shame, loneliness, and fear. Through raw, authentic stories, (in)courage writer Anjuli Paschall invites you to stop running from your pain and to recognize that the deep end of your story is the way to intimacy with Christ. Alongside Anjuli, you will encounter a loving God who invites you to stay with him at the table of your soul, where you are free to spill the milk, to fumble through your words, to embrace the awkwardness and the joy, and to taste and see that he is good.”

I loved the honesty in this book, the acknowledgement of how hard it is to simply stay when there are a million things needing our attention at this exact moment. This was one of those rare books that was enjoyable to read as well as enlightening about areas I need to work on. I rated this a 5/5.

Straining Forward: Minh Puong Towner’s; One Woman’s journey from oppression to redemption in the wake of the Vietnam War by Michelle Layer Rahal

Published in 2020, this 294-page book makes you wonder if this is actually a true story. Here’s a synopsis:

“In the early morning hours of January 31, 1968, eleven-year-old Minh Phuong watched in horror as her father and two siblings were gunned down by the Vietcong in their backyard. Though she escaped the bullets that night, abuse, prison, and torture would follow. The tragedy of her childhood would haunt Minh Phuong for the rest of her life and lead her to question God’s very existence.

Straining Forward is the true story of Minh Phuong’s dramatic escape from war-torn Vietnam and the effects of undiagnosed post-traumatic stress disorder on her adult life. Author Michelle Layer Rahal not only provides powerful insight into the minds of refugee children, she also calls each of us to accountability for their care and healing.”

At times I thought, this has to be made up. There’s no way all of this happened to one person. But this is a very true, very real story of Minh’s escape from Vietnam, all of it. You will not regret picking up this book, but it does come with a trigger warning. There are scenes of abuse and violence in this book that may be hard to read. I rated this a 5/5.

Destination Hope: A Travel Companion When Life Falls Apart by Marilyn Nutter and April White
Published in 2021, this 188-page book offers hope to those who need it most. Here’s a synopsis:

“This book is not a self-help book filled with platitudes from people who think they have life figured out. Instead, Marilyn Nutter and April White link arms with the audience and encourage their readers through stories of their personal challenges in widowhood and chronic illness. Women are encouraged to see loss and hardship as part of life’s journey and are reminded to turn their gaze upwards, to the Provider of Hope. Within the pages of Destination Hope comes a sisterhood, a bond, that is formed only through the mutual understanding of loss and the need to find hope in hard times.”

This book is exactly what the name suggests, a companion for when your life feels on shaky ground. The authors continually point readers back to God as the giver of hope. I may not have walked through the same struggles as them, but hardship and loss are universal truths we will all eventually experience. If you’ve recently gone through a difficult time, this is a good choice for a dose of hope. I rated this a 5/5.

Around the Clock Mom: Make the Most of Your God-Given Time by Sarah K. Butterfield
Published in 2021, this quick read at 158 pages won’t leave you lacking in substance. Here’s a short synopsis:

“Are you a busy mom with too many demands on your time? Do you feel overwhelmed, distracted, stressed out, and pulled in too many directions at once? Sarah K. Butterfield knows what it’s like to wonder whether you’ll ever have time to yourself again, and to live in the tension between the lure of productivity and the promise of rest. With gentle wisdom and realistic strategies, Sarah shows you how to be wise with the time God has given you.
Be confident that you are making smart decisions with your time throughout your journey of motherhood. Crawl into bed at night, knowing that you found enough time for what was important. If you’re ready to start making the most of your God-given time, “Around the Clock Mom” is the guide you need!”

As a mom, there is always something eating away at my time. There is always dirty laundry, there are always dishes in the sink, and there is always a little person needing my help. In this book I found encouragement, as well as helpful, practical tips for managing my time with my little one. All moms who struggle with managing your time should read this book. I rated this a 5/5.

If you decide to read a book from this list, make sure you let me know by leaving a comment below!