The best books I read in 2021

How’s everyone doing at the minute? We’re in this lull period between Christmas and New Year where I have no idea what day it is or what’s going on in life. I have a feeling most of us feel like this that time of year! I hope you all had a good Christmas and are looking forward to the New Year!

This year, I got back into reading after a few years of not reading anything (or almost anything). And I managed to read 25 books, which is no small achievement! I know that seems like a very low number, but for someone who stopped reading entirely for years, it’s definitely a big, big thing. So I thought I would do a round-up of the best books I read in 2021, which is a post I saw on Jenny’s blog and looked like a really fun way to wrap this year up!

5. The Foundling, Stacey Halls

“London, 1754. Six years after leaving her newborn, Clara, at London’s Foundling Hospital, young Bess Bright returns to reclaim the illegitimate daughter she has never really known. Dreading the worst – that Clara has died in care – the last thing she expects to hear is that her daughter has already been reclaimed. Her life is turned upside down as she tries to find out who has taken her little girl – and why.

Les than a mile from Bess’ lodgings in a quiet town house, a wealthy widow barely ventures outside. When her close friend – an ambitious doctor at the Foundling Hospital – persuades her to hire a nursemaid for her young daughter, she is hesitant to welcome someone new into her home and her life. But her past is threatening to catch up with her – and will soon tear her carefully constructed world apart.”

One of the first books I read this year, I absolutely loved The Foundling and it’s definitely in the list of my best books of 2021! I’d read The Familiars by the same author and I definitely knew I wanted more from her. I enjoyed this book so much, I loved the plot which I found really interesting and kept me on my toes. I love how the story brought Bess and Alexandra together, and I genuinely couldn’t put the book down once the pace started picking up around 50 pages in. It was one of those books where I sort of knew what the ending was going to be, but I was surprised at and loved how we got there – if that makes any sense at all! I really enjoyed the historical side of the story and learning more about London in the 18th century, it was really fascinating!

4. All the Stars and Teeth, Adalyn Grace

“As princess of the island kingdom Visidia, Amora Montara has spent her entire life training to be High Animancer — the master of souls. The rest of the realm can choose their magic, but for Amora, it’s never been a choice. To secure her place as heir to the throne, she must prove her mastery of the monarchy’s dangerous soul magic.

When her demonstration goes awry, Amora is forced to flee. She strikes a deal with Bastian, a mysterious pirate: he’ll help her prove she’s fit to rule, if she’ll help him reclaim his stolen magic.

But sailing the kingdom holds more wonder — and more peril — than Amora anticipated. A destructive new magic is on the rise, and if Amora is to conquer it, she’ll need to face legendary monsters, cross paths with vengeful mermaids, and deal with a stow-away she never expected… or risk the fate of Visidia and lose the crown forever.”

I have to say that the genre I read the most is definitely fantasy – it’s my fiancé‘s favourite and I think it’s definitely rubbed on me a little bit, seeing all those fantasy books on our bookshelves! But I think that this year, the books that have definitely got me back into reading fantasy is this duology by Adalyn Grace, All the Stars and Teeth and All the Tides of Fates. I absolutely loved the books! The thing that actually made the book for me were definitely the characters. I enjoyed the plot, I loved the backdrop in Visidia, but honestly, the characters were the best part for me. I loved Amora, Bastian, Ferrick, Vataea… I did find Amora a little boring and sometimes frankly annoying, and she had her moments where I wanted to give up on her throughout the books, but ultimately she united everybody around her and I liked the way she dealt with wanting to lead her people, it was a good plot point throughout the duology. I really enjoyed where the plot went and the conclusion of the story. It definitely felt like everything had come together. A good read!

3. Cazalet Chronicles: The Light Years, Elizabeth Jane Howard

“In 1937, the coming war is only a distant cloud on Britain’s horizon. As the Cazalet households prepare for their summer pilgrimage to the family estate in Sussex, readers meet Edward, in love with but by no means faithful to his wife Villy; Hugh, wounded in the Great War; Rupert, who worships his lovely child-bride Zoe; and Rachel, the spinster sister.“

Right, this book. I have to admit, I struggled with it a little bit when I started reading it. It’s proper historical fiction, just a classic retelling of what happened to a middle class family at the end of the 1930s, a no nonsense kind of book. I think that’s partially the reason it took me so long to get into the story: I’ve been used to twists and turns and adventure in the books I read, and The Light Years does anything but. There were a couple of things that left me surprised, but overall it’s a fiction book that aims to tell its readers what life was like at that time. Ultimately, once I got past that initial “shock”, I absolutely enjoyed it, so very much. It’s a very real story, and I felt so many emotions towards the characters, I laughed, gasped, felt frustrated with certain conversations… It’s the first time I have felt so strongly about characters! It feels like the story and plot just runs its course and it’s kind of impossible to predict what’s going to happen in my opinion. This first book has definitely earned its place in my best books of 2021, and I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the Chronicles in 2022.

2. An Ordinary Life, Amanda Prowse

“Christmas Eve, 2019. Ninety-four-year-old Molly lies in her hospital bed. A stroke and a fall may have broken her body—but her mind is alive with memories.

London, 1940s. Molly is a bright young woman, determined to help the war effort and keep her head up despite it all. Life becomes brighter when she meets and falls in love with a man who makes her forget everything with one dance. But then war forces her to make an unforgettable sacrifice, and when she’s brought to her knees by a daring undercover mission with the French Resistance, only her sister knows the secret weighing heavily on Molly’s heart.

Now, lying in her hospital bed, Molly can’t escape the memories of what she lost all those years ago. But she is not as alone as she thinks.

Will she be able to find peace—and finally understand that what seemed to be an ordinary life was anything but?”

I picked up this book purely because its story is based on one of my favourite periods to read about: World War II (we don’t judge here). I’ve always found this time fascinating to read about and so, I usually buy a lot of fiction books about it. I got gifted An Ordinary Life and I couldn’t wait to read it when I got it. It was predictable, but still, I absolutely loved this book! First, the plot. I really enjoyed it. It was a lovely story, an old woman recounting her memories of youth and it was really enthralling and again, I couldn’t put the book down, I loved getting to know Molly and her story. The ending was also so bittersweet, it felt right, but part of me wished it had ended differently. There were definitely some tear-jerking moments, and I fell for those… I can only recommend it if you’re looking for a historical fiction with some heart and soul.

1. Stardust, Neil Gaiman

“Young Tristran Thorn will do anything to win the cold heart of beautiful Victoria—even fetch her the star they watch fall from the night sky. But to do so, he must enter the unexplored lands on the other side of the ancient wall that gives their tiny village its name. Beyond that old stone wall, Tristran learns, lies Faerie—where nothing not even a fallen star, is what he imagined.“

And finally, the best book I read this year is, without a doubt, Stardust by Neil Gaiman. I picked up this book because I was looking for a short, easy read and Stardust had been recommended to me by several people, and I wasn’t disappointed! From page one, I was fully into the novel. It’s such a well-crafted and beautiful story. The journeys made by the different characters, how they all come together, and the plot… I loved it all. And can we talk about his writing style for a minute? It’s gorgeous, it sounds so easy and feels so… amazing. It’s truly one of the most beautifully written stories I’ve ever read. Anything I write about the novel cannot do it justice. I can only highly, highly recommend it!

What have been your best books of 2021?

Em ♥