Best Books of 2021
Before saying goodbye to 2021, here are my choices for books worth your time and attention.
Read MoreKurt Wallander series, by Henning Mankell
Excellent detective fiction series, set in Sweden of the nineties and oughts. Enjoy spending time getting to know Kurt Wallander, as he solves ghastly murders.
Read MoreMy Name Is Lucy Barton, and Oh William!, by Elizabeth Strout
Read these in order: My Name Is Lucy Barton, followed by Oh William! to truly appreciate the character development achieved by Elizabeth Strout. Highly recommended.
Read MoreBeautiful World, Where Are You, by Sally Rooney
Rooney is the reporter on the psyche of the Millennial generation. Enjoy her latest exploration.
Read MoreMatrix, by Lauren Groff
Enter the world of late twelfth century abbey life, in this story of a powerful abbess, her loves and ambitions, in a male-dominated world. Beautifully written, with many questionable liberties taken with the historical record.
Read MoreMexican Gothic, by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
A well-crafted gothic novel, which will put you off mushrooms.
Read MoreThe Dutch House, by Ann Patchett
A richly layered novel about the meanings of house and home. Highly recommend the audiobook read by Tom Hanks.
Read MoreThe Song of Achilles, by Madeline Miller
Enjoy this retelling of Homer’s epic story of the Trojan War, the hero Achilles, and his great love for Patroclus.
Read MoreThe God Equation: The Quest for a Theory of Everything, by Michio Kaku
From gravity to the multiverse, theoretical physicist Michio Kaku takes you on a tour of how scientists seek to explain the universe and everything in it. Required reading for all thoughtful people.
Read MoreThe Quiet Boy, by Ben H. Winters
Part legal thriller, part science fiction, and part detective fiction, this mashup by Winters is entertaining, and asks bigger questions.
Read MoreThe Final Girl Support Group, by Grady Hendrix
Grady Hendrix does it again! A great successor to “The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires.” Enjoy this send-up of 70s and 80s slasher movies, told in a darkly funny way.
Read MoreLeave Only Footprints: My Acadia-to-Zion Journey Through Every National Park, by Conor Knighton
Conor Knighton takes us on his yearlong journey to all our country’s national parks. Check out his fun Instagram, too!
Read MoreThe Authoritarian Moment: How the Left Weaponized America's Institutions Against Dissent, by Ben Shapiro
Are you tired of cancel culture, the majority shut down from honestly expressing opinions in a civil manner? Ben Shapiro lays out the way we got here, and what needs to happen to restore honest, open debate. This must happen to assure our democracy going forward.
Read MoreGreat Circle, by Maggie Shipstead
Great historical fiction novel, following the life of Marian Graves, female aviator, from her beginnings flying liquor from Canada to the U.S. during Prohibition, through World War II, to her flight around the world at the Poles. Exciting, and much to learn.
Read MoreThe Writer's Library: The Authors You Love on the Books That Changed Their Lives, by Nancy Pearl and Jeff Schwager
Enjoy these fascinating interviews with accomplished authors, and compile your reading bucket list!
Read MoreExtraterrestrial: The First Sign of Intelligent Life Beyond Earth, by Avi Loeb
A fascinating discussion of a recent astronomical observation, and its potential for changing our world view, if we have the courage, curiosity, and humility to explore further, or the consequences if we do not.
Read MoreThe Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, by Taylor Jenkins Reid
A story within a story, as legendary film star Evelyn Hugo tells her life story, the full hidden, secret story behind her life choices, to junior magazine staff writer Monique Grant. An interesting examination of the cost of fame.
Read MoreThe Four Winds, by Kristin Hannah
Learn of the sufferings of hard working farmers during the Dust Bowl, and the injustices visited on the migrants escaping it to California, through the eyes of Elsa Martinelli, loving mother, trying to keep her children safe— a dramatic, moving story.
Read MoreMalibu Rising, by Taylor Jenkins Reid
A perfect beach read, from the pen of Taylor Jenkins Reid. She has a growing reputation for entertaining page turners. You’ll smell the salt air and tanning lotion, hear the waves and feel the sand beneath your feet!
Read MoreTranscendent Kingdom, by Yaa Gyasi
Wonderful novel that takes on issues of the immigrant experience, loss of family through addiction, and struggling with caretaking with a depressed parent— all with a heroine who must discover the personal strength to finally choose for herself.
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