Time for a traditional best books of the year post! These are the best book I read in 2021. They weren’t necessarily published in 2021.
Complete with pictures and links for your convenience to add to your TBR.
January
Dark mystery that flirts with idea of something supernatural/otherworldly? Yes please.
February
Perfect example of a book you really need to listen to rather than read. Great narrator. The science language isn’t off putting when listening.
March
The Cousins by Karen M. McManus
Her books are always quick to engage me.
April
The Downstairs Girl by Stacey Lee
Great historical fiction book about a time period I’m not familiar with.
May
Murder is Bad Manners by Robin Stevens
Fun historical MG murder mystery. I’ll need to circle back to the rest of the series at some point.
June
Greenglass House by Kate Milford
Wintery mystery. Loving parents who allow their kid space to have adventures? Perfection.
July
Defy the Night by Brigid Kemmerer
Perfection one more time by Kemmerer.
August
Survive the Night by Riley Sager
It’s the newest Sager. What can I say? I’m always a big fan.
September
Pride and Premeditation by Tirzah Price
YA Jane Austen murder mystery? What’s not to like about that?
October
League of Liars by Astrid Scholte (review coming February 7 or check out my Goodreads review)
Scholte knows how to weave a twisty tale.
November
I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys (review coming January 10 or see my Goodreads review)
Modern historical fiction (yes, that’s an oxymoron; I can’t get over the fact that books set in the 80’s now are labeled historical fiction) about a terrifying part of history that my American education glossed over.
December
You’re going to want to listen to this one. It’s a blend of true crime podcast and mystery book. The full cast makes me want to give podcasts a try!
This was a mystery heavy year and I’m okay with that. It’s been a rough ~2 years for all the obvious reasons. I’ve lost my spark to be everywhere online in regards to my reading & my online persona. I’m okay with that. I’m still reading what I want and when I want. I’ve branched out and read some great new-to-me books as well as widened my horizons even if it didn’t work out.
It’s reassuring that my love of reading doesn’t go away even when things blah or not great.
This is your encouragement to step back from bookstagram, booktok, booktube, & book blogs from time to time (if not longer). It’s refreshing to read without pressure and influence to keep up with everyone else.
What were your favorite books this year?
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Alison In Bookland 
A YA murder mystery based off of Pride & Prejudice sounds incredible!
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It was so much fun!
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We loved The Cousins!
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That’s a good one. I love all of her books.
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This is a great idea! So many of these books are on my TBR!
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Loved reading about your favorites Alison. I’m looking forward to reading Stacey Lee’s books and League Of Liars. Happy 2022!
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Great list! The Martian was also a favorite for me from last year and I’m looking forward to reading Defy the Night! I haven’t finished narrowing down my favorites list but I know Cytonic will be on it as well as The Poet X and A Dream So Dark.
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Those look like great picks. I really need to read Skyward.
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