Friends, it’s my ANNUAL BOOK REVIEW!!!
I AM SO EXCITED!!
I am beyond excited…I am G-I-D-D-Y!!!
I’ve said this before, but I’ll say it again, each year, I blog about 500 posts. That is a lot of blog content year after year, and this post right here is always, without a doubt, my absolute favorite.
I love reading. I love settling down with a great book. I love spending my time waiting at doctors appointments, in carpool line, early in the morning or late at night with a book. Reading is my favorite hobby, but I truly love it so much more because I get to share it with YOU!
This year, I read 59 books.
I read some mystery and some suspense, I read several autobiographies and memoirs, my fair share of chick lit and some really great works of fiction too. I read several books I really loved and honestly, for whatever reason, this year, I read many I didn’t love. This was a weird year of reading for me. I felt like my months ran either hot or cold. I loved every book or I didn’t love any.
Today, I’m going to recap the two books I read in December to finish off my year and then, I’ll name my TOP THREE BOOKS OF 2021.
So, let’s start with the two books I enjoyed this month…
Whoa.
I went there.
And Katie Couric really went there.
I devoured her new autobiography Going There.
Ate. It. Up.
I am super into autobiographies and pretty much will read any of them (hello, Blondie book that I’m still not quite sure why I read…), so when several of you suggested I pick up Katie Couric’s newest memoir, I was all in. I like Katie Couric. I mean…I know nothing really about her other than she was on TODAY and widowed with two young girls. She seems bubbly and likeable, very smart and yet down to earth, I’ll read about you.
Geez Louise…she goes there.
It was like reading her diary.
It was very vulnerable, quite juicy and jaw dropping. I loved every page. Honestly, I love Katie. I didn’t “know” her before, but now that I’ve read this book, I feel like we could be friends. I loved the first third of the book when she describes her childhood, road to college and early years as a struggling journalist. I loved the middle part when she talks about her husband and being a mom. I legit cried when she talked about her husband dying of cancer at such a young age. And then I sat on the edge of my seat soaking up every detail of the Matt Lauer part (whoa). I laughed, I cried, I respected her, I was shocked by what she said, I could not put her book down. Who knew I needed a bit of Katie in my December? Not me, but I loved it! If you’re an autobiography fan too, grab this one. It’s really, really, really engrossing. I dare you to put it down.
The second book I read this month ended up being my favorite Christmas book of the season which is ironic because it was about…
…Hanukkah.
Super ironic, no?
I was flipping through my December issue of Good Housekeeping when they suggested three new holiday books. When I read the synopsis of The Matzah Ball, it sounded so cute that I downloaded it immediately and devoured it. This book was adorable!!!!!!
Let me break it down: the main character is a very prolific and successful Christmas romance novel author except…she’s doing it in secret because she comes from a family of very faithful and devout Jews. She secretly loves Christmas and writes about it in twenty plus novels until one day, her publishers ask her to write a novel about Hanukkah. Friends, it’s legit the making of a Hallmark movie. It’s so cute, so quirky, ties in all the Christmas goodness I love and adore (movie references, songs, food, traditions) while also adding so many delightful Hanukkah references and traditions too. This book is about family, faith, traditions and of course, romance. This book is also about delicious food and made me super hungry. One morning, I was reading this early before the kids had gotten up for school, and it had made me so hungry that I prepared a huge breakfast for them. Ha!
As a Christian, even though I have Jewish friends that I love, I don’t know a lot about the ins and outs of their celebrations and traditions, so (assuming this book was correct), I do think I learned a bit too. It’s cozy, it’s charming, it’s sweet, it’s totally rated PG, and it was the perfect way to wrap up all my reads in 2021. Book #59 was a winner!
So, that adds two books to my list for the year.
Let’s recap them all right here…
2021 Reads…
(Just click on the month to read my review.)
JANUARY
Troubles in Paradise by Elin Hilderbrand
A Good Neighborhood by Therese Ann Fowler
No Time Like the Future by Michael J. Fox
Cosy by Laura Weir
Forever Wild by K.A. Tucker
One by One by Ruth Ware
Forgiving What You Can’t Forget by Lysa TerKeurst
The Lies That Bind by Emily Giffin
FEBRUARY
It’s All Under Control by Jennifer Dukes Lee
What You Wish For by Katherine Center
Men We Reaped by Jesmyn Ward
The Right Swipe by Alisha Rai
The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah
Good Apple by Elizabeth Passarella
The Road Back to You by Ian Morgan Cron
MARCH
The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman
The Family Next Door by Sally Hepworth
He Put My Buddha in the Freezer by Amy Karl
Eliza Starts a Rumor by Jane L. Rosen
Share Your Stuff, I’ll Go First by Laura Tremaine
APRIL
Say You Still Love Me by K.A. Tucker
Running for My Life by Lopez Lomong
Kisses and Croissants by Anne Sophie Jouhanneau
The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth
MAY
Live in Love by Lauren Atkins
Under the Southern Sky by Kristy Woodson Harvey
The Guest List by Lucy Foley
The Newcomer by Mary Kay Andrews
JUNE
Float Plan by Trish Doller
People We Meet On Vacation by
Thirty Chic Days by Fiona Ferris
Golden Girl by Elin Hilderbrand
Family Reunion by Nancy Thayer
JULY
Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid
The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren
The Sixth Wedding by Elin Hilderbrand
Our Italian Summer by Jennifer Probst
The Bookstore on the Beach by Brenda Novak
The Nantucket Inn by Pamela Kelley
The Beach House by Jenny Hale
AUGUST
Musical Chairs by Amy Poeppel
The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller
Yoga Pant Nation by Laurie Gelman
The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave
SEPTEMBER
Love Your Life by Sophie Kinsella
Not a Happy Family by Shari Lapena
Thin Girls by Diana Clarke
The Warsaw Orphan by Kelly Rimmer
Help, I’m Drowning by Sally Clarkson
OCTOBER
Our Woman in Moscow by Beatriz Williams
The Girls in the Stilt House by Kelly Mustian
Thirty More Chic Days by Fiona Ferris
Where The Grass is Green and The Girls Are Pretty by Lauren Weisberger
NOVEMBER
The Santa Suit by Mary Kay Andrews
A Season for Second Chances by Jenny Bayliss
Christmas in Peachtree Bluff by Kristy Woodson Harvey
One Christmas in Paris by Mandy Baggot
DECEMBER:
Going There by Katie Couric
The Matzah Ball by Jean Meltzer
Every year, I name my TOP THREE books, and as silly as it sounds, I think about that every single time I pick up a book. I’m always wondering if it’s “the one”, and I get so excited when the bar raises and a new book comes up into my TOP THREE.
Below is a list of all of my TOP THREE books from years past. I still stand by each and every one of these, and whichever ones you haven’t already read, please do so in 2022. These are all AMAZING books…
Here is a list of all of my other FAVORITE BOOKS of the year:
2014
#1: What Remains by Carol Radziwill
2015
#1: Bread & Wine by Shauna Niequist
#2: The Royal We by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan
2016
#1: Cancel the Wedding by Carolyn Dingman
#2: It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover
#3: A Hundred Summers by Beatriz Williams
2017
#1: One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid
#2: Unstuffed by Ruth Soukup
#3: The Secret Life of Violet Grant by Beatriz Williams
2018
#1: My Oxford Year by Julia Whelan
#2: Castle of Water by Dane Huckelbridge
#3: The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah
2019
#1: The Things We Cannot Say by Kelly Rimmer
#2: The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris
#3: Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
2020
#1: American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins
#2: Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano
#3: In Five Years by Rebecca Searle
Before I get to my TOP THREE BOOKS for 2021, let me remind you of some amazing honorable mentions from this year.
I read several fabulous autobiographies/memoirs this year and hope you all read them too. I really loved every one of these books…
No Time Like the Future by Michael J. Fox
Good Apple by Elizabeth Passarella
Running for My Life by Lopez Lomong
As far as the most life-changing book I read this year. The one I bought and gifted to more people. Well, I would have to say without a doubt, it was this one here:
The Road Back to You by Ian Morgan Cron
This was my first book on Enneagram, and it honestly helped me more than words could say. I bet not a day goes by that I don’t hear a conversation, read an email, see a text or engage with someone without stopping to think “How can I love them more in how I respond instead of just responding like an ‘Eight’?”. I have used this tool to, hopefully, help me love my people more this year. I love this book!
Okay, if you read my review about this next book…
Thin Girls by Diana Clarke then you know how conflicted I was about this novel. It’s so raw. It’s so graphic. It’s so honest. It’s fiction, but I swear to you, it will feel like a personal story. Out of all 59 books I read this year, this one here was the one I thought about the most. I talked about this book to more people. I pondered it. I researched the author. I was really captivated by novel. Please read my review before purchasing as it’s Rated R for many reasons. I did not name this book in my TOP THREE and maybe that was a mistake. It was actually the most thought-provoking book of the year, so it might should have been my #1? I’m not sure. All I know is that this is a book you won’t forget. Read at your own risk; it will stick with you.
Finally, my last honorable mention goes to The Warsaw Orphan by Kelly Rimmer. In 2019, I named Rimmer’s book The Things We Cannot Say my #1 book of the year, and this novel here is a spinoff of that amazing book. This book is a work of fiction based on real events and trust me when I say, it’s hard to read but for all the right reasons. I cried. I felt. I thought. This is an amazing book. Read both of these Rimmer novels in 2022. I cannot recommend them enough!
So, those are all of my honorable mentions from 2021.
Now, are you ready to see which three books made my TOP THREE OF THE ENTIRE YEAR?!
Eeeeeeeks!!! Okay, here we go!
I may have loved those books listed above, but my THIRD FAVORITE BOOK OF 2021 is…
Musical Chairs by Amy Poeppel
Ohhhhhhh! This novel was so adorable!!! You all know that I love me some chick lit and read it every chance I get, but this book here was way more than chick lit. This book is a bit meatier. It’s light and happy, but it’s not super fluffy. This is about a woman and her adult kids one summer as she works on keeping her musical trio together. There is a bit of drama, a lot of laughs, a quaint little town and so many great music references. I loved the main character (and her best friend too!), but I also loved her kids and even her dad. When I think back on the year to all the chick lit I read, most of them do not stand out and almost all of their plots run together. Not this one though. This one was unique. It’s charming. It’s original. It’s my very favorite kind of book to read. The minute I finished this novel, I knew it had a place in my TOP THREE.
Next up, my SECOND FAVORITE BOOK OF 2021 is…
The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller.
This novel is not charming chick lit. This is a gritty, raw, vulnerable piece of fiction that instantly reminded me of Where The Crawdads Sing. If you’re looking for a novel with substance about hard issues and real family conflict wrapped up in a unique setting with an interesting cast of characters, this is it. This is one of those books that is a bit dark while being light at the same time. It will make you ponder the characters’ choices and put yourself in their shoes. This book is just GOOD. Now, I will say that because of the content, this book is Rated R, so please make note of that. One page is dark and hard and then the next is light and funny. The main character is flawed but still likeable. The whole thing is about why we do the things we do…whether they’re good or bad. You will not be able to put this book down. I’m telling you…when it’s over, you’ll want another chapter.
So, those are #2 and #3.
Drumroll please!
My FAVORITE BOOK OF 2021 is…
Our Woman in Moscow by Beatriz Williams.
WITHOUT A DOUBT!
I read this book in October and it immediately shot up to the #1 spot without question or competition. This novel is brilliant! In fact, I’m very tempted to go ahead and read it a second time. It’s that good.
If you’ve read my book reviews before, then you know that not only do I love Beatriz Williams’ books (all historical fiction) that multiple times, they’ve ended up in the TOP THREE. In 2016, A Hundred Summers was my third favorite book of the year, and then in 2017, The Secret Life of Violet Grant was also my third favorite book of the year. Last year, her novel Her Last Flight very nearly made the top three as well. All of these books are amazing which means that every time I sit down to read one of her books, I have the bar set really, really high. When I cracked open Our Woman in Moscow, I was a little apprehensive that it wouldn’t meet my expectations, but friends, IT BLEW THEM OUT OF THE WATER! This novel here is my favorite Williams’ book to date. It is my very favorite book of 2021.
I cannot stress this enough, I do not like historical fiction. At all. And yet, I love all of Williams’ books. If you are not typically a fan of historical fiction, no worries, you will love this one.
If you’re looking for a work of fiction that keeps you on your toes, this is it. If you’re looking for a story about family dynamics and the complications of being a sister, this is it. If you’re looking for romance, this is it. If you’re looking for suspense, this is it. If you love historical fiction, this is FOR SURE it. If you don’t love historical fiction and just love a good chick lit book (like me!), THIS IS STILL IT!
This is a story of two sisters, separated by over a decade, who come together to get one of them (and her family) secretly out of Russia. I could not put this one down. I loved every layer, every detail, I re-read pages just to absorb even more…I thought it was brilliant. This is a fantastic book! Everyone should read it!
At dinner the other night, my friends asked me what my favorite book of the year was and when I said this one, two friends gasped out loud because they too agreed that THIS BOOK IS AMAZING. Well done, Beatriz Williams! This novel is brilliant. I absolutely could not think of a better book to take my #1 spot in 2021!
Whew! Those are my TOP THREE for 2021!
Now, I’m getting my list together of books to read the rest of this month and into January, so here’s what I want to know…WHAT IS THE BEST BOOK YOU READ IN 2021? That’s going to hopefully help me find my favorite book of 2022.
Thank you for reading with me this year! Thank you for always making these posts so much fun!! Thank you, thank you, thank you for everything! I love this community that reads together SO DANG MUCH! I am so thankful for you all!!!
Happy Book Day from me to YOU!!!! I’ll see you tomorrow! xx
To see the complete list of books I read in 2016 (all 62 of them), click here.
To see the complete list of books I read in 2017 (all 62 of them), click here.
To see the complete list of books I read in 2018 (all 61 of them), click here.
To see the complete list of books I read in 2019 (all 54 of them), click here.
To see the complete list of the books I read in 2020 (all 54 of them), click here.
Lauren says
I love the end-of-year book review day! I think half of the books on my “to read” list come from your recommendations and they never disappoint! I agree with Woman in Moscow, so good!! Have you read Anxious People?? It is so quirky, cute, and heartwarming but also very thought provoking. You’d probably love it!
Taylor says
YAY!!!! I look forward to this post ALL YEAR! Can’t wait to add some of these to my library list and cozy up for some reading through the holidays! Thanks, Shay!
Allison says
Love your book reviews!! I look forward to the post every month!! My favorite book of the year was What She Left Behind by Ellen Marie Wiseman!! You should check it out!!
Jen says
American Dirt & the Girls in the Stilt House (thanks for the recommendation!) we’re two of my faves this year
Mix and Match Mama says
Both great books!!! American Dirt…brilliant!
Mal says
Love book review day! Also loved The Paper Palace and just added your other top 3 to my to-read list.
My top 3 2021 books were (though 2 are older books)
-The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
-It End With Us
-Falling
I need more hours in the day for my reading!
Stephanie Parisotto says
I always look forward to your book reviews every months, I have definitely gotten many great suggestions from your lists! I have read 53 books this year and my top 3 would be:
1) this tender land
2) midnight at the blackbird cafe
3) the brilliant life of Eudora Honeysett
Honourable mention;
We begin at the end
The Saturday morning park run
Merry Christmas and happy holidays to you and yours!
Andee Hart says
I loved This Tender Land. Definitely my favorite of the year as well!
Heather Stanton says
I popped out of bed….grabbed my coffee and jumped on the couch to read you top 3! Haven’t read any of them, but they are in my Amazon cart! I love to read so much and LOVE your reviews! I always refer back to your monthly reviews for my next read! Just keep reading….!! ?❤️
Mix and Match Mama says
YAY!!!!! This whole comment made me SMILE!!!! Merry Christmas!!
Jodie Kingsbury says
This is my favorite post every year. I come back to it multiple times to get more books to load onto my kindle.
Have a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2022. May you have a blessed year.
Jenn says
Standing in my bathroom in my towel because in the shower I remembered it’s your 2021 Book Review and I couldn’t wait to see what you picked! I’m going to get my hands on some. I have to pick Paper Palace back up. For some reason I was getting bored with it, but since our school break starts tomorrow my mind will be less on work and more relaxed! Merry Christmas, Shay!
Jennibell says
I opened my email before reading this post and saw that Paper Palace is ready for me to pick up at the library. Perfect timing! Hopefully I will have lots of reading time in the next couple of weeks.
Even though I read a lot this year I never really “flew” through a book or have recommendations off the top of my head when one of my friends ask me for their next read. It must be me… I have about five books started right now and I just can’t get through them. They all look good when I pick them up… It must be a “me“ issue right now. I love these posts so much… Thank you for taking the time to do them!
Elspeth says
I always look forward to this post! It always gives me such great ideas! How long does it take you to put it together?
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Mix and Match Mama says
Well, I work pretty hard on it because I truly love this post SO MUCH!!
Erika Slaughter says
Oooohhhh!!! I’m adding your #1 to my Christmas Break list!!
SS says
I have read Michael J Fox’s other books. I will have to check this one out. Growing up I had MJF pix all over my walls, watched Family Ties faithfully and all his movies!!! Kiddos even dressed as Back to the Future characters one year! It actually turned out to be the year he came into the future. Lol. I just adore him!! He seems like such a cool person and reading the other two books gave great insight.
Thanks for reminding about this book…
Melissa Terry says
I just made and shared my top 5 list with my book club girls yesterday and the top book of 2021 was The Music of Bees. I absolutely loved that book! So many of the ones you listed were also top contenders for us as well and Our Woman is top of my list for 2022. Your book reviews are favorites of mine as well-second only to your adoption posts xo
Taylor says
Honestly 2021 wasn’t a good year for me either for reading. I did read a few that I would recommend, though. As far as thrillers, No Exit was so good! I could not put it down! I read it on a snow day and had it finished in 8 hours.
“Keeping Lucy” was my other five star review. Oh my gosh I loved that book. It was raw, beautiful, and heart breaking at the same time. I recommend that one all of the time.
Thank you for all of your reviews! Your blog is truly a light in my life!
Mix and Match Mama says
Oh God bless YOU! I hope you have a very Merry Christmas, Taylor!!
Taylor says
Have you read The Glass Castle? It’s a memoir and I think you might really like it. It’s very thought provoking. I don’t think I’ve seen it in any of your reviews..
Happy Thursday!
Mix and Match Mama says
I actually have that one downloaded on my Kindle!
Chrissy says
And it’s a movie. Highly recommend as well!
Darcy says
The Glass Castle is one of my all time favorite books…..so good! Your book reviews are my favorites and your reader comments….so many great ideas! I think I got the idea to read the memoir “The crooked little road to semi-ever after happiness” from one of your readers. I thoroughly enjoyed the writing style of the author and the content was thought-provoking…one of my favorite reads of this year.
Nora Segrest says
Book review day is my favorite day of the month. You are always my go to for book recommendations! I just finished the people we keep by Allison Larkin. It was great!! Merry Christmas Shay! Can’t wait for more book reviews in 2022
Katie Brenning says
I can’t wait to read Our Woman in Moscow. The best book I read this year was We Were The Lucky Ones by Georgia Hunter. It is based on true stories and I could not put it down. So so good. Hoping to finish 40 books by the end of the year. Merry Christmas to you and your beautiful family.
Taylor says
I loved the lucky ones!
Lisa says
My favorite this year was:
Man called Ove
Crying in Hmart
Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
julie says
LOVED Crying in Hmart too!!!
Cyndi W says
Loved Crying in HMart too! I highly recommend Apeirogon Collum McCann!
Karen says
Love love your book reviews and I so agree about Musical Chairs….it’s been my favorite book of the year too! It was very unique and brought me so much joy…friendship, family, aging, finding love…just so good!! I am now reading The Invisible Husband of Frick Island which was recommended by several who left comments on your monthly reviews…so far I’m all in!
Thanks for all your reviews!!
Lynne Deshler says
If you haven’t read The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton, you really should! It was the best book I read this year. Thank you for sharing all of your favorites!
Susanne says
The Secret Keeper is my favorite Kate Morton book!?
Martha says
I love Kate Morton books too! Shay, these stories always involve two timelines, past and present, but Kate Morton does it beautifully and I think you would enjoy giving her a try. Her writing is very good quality which is getting harder and harder to find. Thank you for such a comprehensive list – you do such a great job of describing what a book is about without ever giving anything away!
Jenny says
My favorite this year was The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah. Loved it!
Mix and Match Mama says
I read that one this year too! Have you read The Great Alone by Hannah? It’s my favorite of her books.
Jen says
I LOVED The Four Winds and would name that my #1 book of the year!! I also loved The Great Alone! I’m reading Winter Garden right now and it’s great also. Love me some Kristin Hannah!!
Debbie K. says
For 2021, I vowed to return to reading, something I’ve always loved, but didn’t spend time doing. I set my goal for 12 books, and so far I’ve read 23 and am close to finishing two more. Now I’m ready to set a higher goal for 2022, and several of these honorable mentions and top three will be on my list. Listed started for January!
Sarah M. says
I did a post yesterday of the books I read in 2021, including my favourites, and my reading list for 2022.
http://www.torontosam.ca/2021/12/2022-reading-list.html
Jenny B. says
I love book review day! I think my husband is gifting me a Kindle Paperwhite for Christmas and I can’t wait to download some of these! One of my top reads this year was, and I may have suggested it before, The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell by Robert Dugoni.
Kelly says
Just FYI, the Matzah Ball is $1.99 on Kindles right now! Happy Reading:)
Mix and Match Mama says
That’s amazing!!!! It’s so super cute!!
Jenn says
Have you tried Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman? It is cute and funny and a little suspenseful. Its also set in England, which we know you love! So many cute references and descriptions. It reminds me of a Nancy Myers movie set. Merry Christmas!
Erin says
Yah!! My favorite post of the year too!! So many great books this year!! I also loved The Paper Palace!! So good. I flew through it. I usually never write the books down that I read, this year I am going to do that. I seem to read so much and then forget so many! I am soaking in All the Christmas books right now!! Loved Faking Under the Mistletoe! Super cute!!
Two favs I can think of off the top of my head…
1. Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
2. Verity
A very anticipated book that I have heard nothing about that I am going to read after I enjoy the the Christmas books is The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun. Also cant wait to devour Katie Couric!! Happy Reading!!
Julie says
I love book day! I just happily added a few more titles to my Goodreads “to read” list!
My favorite book of the past year was ‘The Guncle.’ It is a deep dive on parenting that makes you smile, laugh, cry and have all the feels. SO well written too. And a reminder to enjoy life every day.
If you’re looking for a fun and easy read, I LOVE LOVE LOVE ‘Dial A for Aunties!’ It’s a dark comedy, the writing is amazing and it is laugh out loud funny. I never usually laugh out loud at books, and literally, this one had me laughing until tears came out. Super fun read.
I also absolutely loved “Fault Lines”. It’s a beautifully written short debut novel about marriage, motherhood, and Japanese culture. I found it fascinating.
Thanks for sharing your reading year with us all!
Jacki says
Maybe not my favorite book of the year, but knowing you like chick lit, have you read The Hating Game? It just came out as a movie as well (which I have not watched in fear it’ll ruin the book for me), but it was a fun and quick read. Thank you for the time you put into these reviews. Between you and the Peloton Moms Book Club, my TBR list grows quicker than I can keep up with (and I’m ok with that!). Merry Christmas and Happy 2022!!
Mix and Match Mama says
I have read that book! It’s super cute!!
Andrea Wiseley says
FYI: The Matzah Ball is on sale today for the kindle for $1.99!!
HollyG says
Thank you for sharing Andrea! Just downloaded it. Happy Reading!
Kim says
From Amazon? When I go there, it will just download a sample?
Ramona says
Yay!!! Thanks for letting me know!
Erin says
thank you!!
Lori says
Keeping Kyla was one of my favorite books this year. A suspenseful love story with faith weaved throughout. I wish I had read it when I was in my 20s. https://www.amazon.com/Keeping-Kyla-Joan-Crombie/dp/1946466891/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1O6BJVQ29WGEW&keywords=joan+crombie&qid=1639667111&sprefix=joan+crom%2Caps%2C179&sr=8-1
Heather says
I am going to check out Katie’s book for sure!! I, too, love an autobiography. Speaking of, I read Will Smith’s last month and I must say it was not what I expected, yet good. Not sure if you are a Will Smith fan, but it might be worth a shot.
Keri Brown says
Just read Will Smith’s autobiography book “Will” but get the audible version! Hearing him read it and the music clips dispersed throughout are a MUST!! He is quite the storyteller! Also, very nostalgic for people our age.
Amy brooks says
Thank you for all your book suggestions! I have found some really great ones through your blog! My very favorite book is
The Scent Keeper by Erica Bauermeister. Please read that one! I would love to hear your thoughts!! Have a merry Christmas!
Ashley says
I am reading the Woman in Moscow now and am having trouble getting into it. This will make me finish it for sure!!
Amy McCarthy says
This year, I loved Apples Never Fall, and Nothing to Envy (which was one of your recs). I really appreciated the Mom character and the family dynamics in Apples Never Fall, and learned so much about North Korea from Nothing to Envy.
MelanieL says
LOVE this post and I am giddy because my library has Our Woman In Moscow, it will be my first 2022 read! This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankle is a good one I read this year. It hit home (for me) and reminded me that life/family doesn’t always look the was we think it will. Night Road is my favorite from 2021, your suggestion for parents of teens to read was spot on. Thank you for all the reading inspiration!!
Aubrey H says
Midnight Library was by FAR the best book I read. Reminds me SO much of Rebecca Serle’s books which I also loved.
I would highly recommend it. And after hearing your description of Our Woman in Moscow, I think you would really like the book, One Night in Havanna. I LOVE your book reviews- thanks so much for sharing (and providing the majority of my reading list hah!).
Andrea says
I second Midnight Library!!! I loved it so much and thinking of so often!!
Susy says
I love selecting an author and working my way through the books they have written. I am sooo enjoying Louise Penny. You can’t help but fall in love with the main character Gamache, the village south of Montreal and all the characters who live there. And then there is the mystery!
Anna says
I love, love, love your book reviews. I open one screen to your blog and one screen to my GoodReads to load up my “want to read list”
So very thankful for you and your blog!
Sande Wier says
The Good Sister and The Love Hypothesis are my faves this year!
Tami says
Have you read The Girls in the Stilt House? I loved this one! Merry Christmas!
Jenn says
I believe she reviewed it on her podcast!
Kelly huffman says
This is my absolute favorite post of the year! I grabbed my coffee and jumped on to read it! Most of the books I read come from your recs. Thank you for working so hard on this post! Merry Christmas! I have some reading to do ❤️❤️
Theresa Childs says
Favorite post of the year !! Gonna start with The Matzah Ball to finish out my year. Then on yo the top 3. Love Beatrice William !!
Laura says
I love all the Beatriz William books I’ve read. It doesn’t surprise me that you put another one of her as a favorite. In fact I’m reading one of hers now.
I love your book reviews, I’ve found so many new books from them.
Brenda says
I just finished The Matzah Ball. It was a good book! Merry Christmas!!
Jenny N says
I look forward to this post every month! Thank you so much for taking the time to post your book reviews. I always get so many great ideas from the post and the comments. I have added several to my running list of books I need to read and since Matzah Ball was only $1.99 today I already bought it.
Thank you again!!
AK says
The best book that I read this year was The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel!! Absolutely incredible book!!! I recommended it to everyone this year!!!
Denise says
You should read THE WISH by Nicholas Sparks … my best book of 2021. I can not stop thinking about it. It is a holiday book. I don’t usually read Nicholas Sparks but I needed a book and my mom suggested it. It is amazing. I cried through it and laughed and also did a couple gasps!
Angela says
Open Book-Jessica Simpson
The Ghosts of Eden Park-Karen Abbott
Greenlights-Matthew McConaughey
The Gown-Jennifer Robson
Our Woman in Moscow was also my favorite. I read lots of chick lit and got into audiobooks while driving and sitting in the car.
Kary D says
One of my favorites this year was The Idea of You. It is a bit rated R. I cannot quit thinking about it. It was really so good and I hear it will be made into a movie. So I’m excited for that!
Jordan B says
The Idea of You is so good!!! I’ve read about 30 books this year and I still think about this one.
Brooke says
I just finished this one and have a total book hangover. I miss Hayes and Solene!
Scarlett Spangler says
I LOVE Beatriz Williams, thank you for bringing her books into my life haha. Her books always end up my favorite of the year… although I read The Great Alone after you recommended it 3 years ago and wow, that book. I think about it all the time and it’s probably my overall favorite so far that you’ve recommended. What would I read if I didn’t have your reviews? ?
Karen H says
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir. Sci fi which is truly never my thing but it is so good. And still sticking with me weeks later.
Alexandra Amaducci says
Live your life by Amanda Kloots
Deborah Leland says
I just started, “Our Woman In Moscow” last night. So glad to see it as your top pick and now I can’t wait to get more into it. Yeah!
Brianna says
I just read and loved Pack Up the Moon by Kristan Higgins – you should add it to your list for the new year! Chick Lit with more substance. Funny, sad, happy – so good! I hope you have a very Merry Christmas with your family, Shay!
Maureen Werner says
Yay!!! I really love your Book Reviews! And not just for the books on your list, but also for ALL the comments and suggestions by everyone else too!! What a great community of well read women!! Thank you so much for gathering us all here! Merry Christmas and God Bless us all!
Deanna says
I just finished The House in the Sky – it’s the true story of a woman who was taken prisoner by Muslim extremists in Somalia. It’s heartbreaking and amazing.
Jenn says
Excellent book!
KD says
My top books this year:
-Salt to the Sea
– This Tender Land
– Apples Never Fall
– The Last
– The Unadoptables (middle grade)
The best thing I did for my reading life this year was try audiobooks! I love getting them for free through the library’s Libby app.
Thanks for your book reviews! I don’t do chick lit but I love the memoirs and autobiographies.
Karah Stracener says
I also recommend Salt to the Sea. It was so good. Historical fiction that I think you would love Shay! It was one of my favorites I read this year.
Christina says
One of the most powerful books I read this past year was Caste, by Isabelle Wilkerson. Saw that s Texas lawmaker is trying to ban Caste along with many other great reads — which makes me now want to digest all of the books on the list in 2022! So far have loved Between the World and Handmaid’s Tale on the list…deciding what is next.
Heather Hurley says
In the middle of Kayleigh McEnany’s autobiography For Such a Time as This: My Faith Journey through the White House and Beyond….it is gooooood!!! Add it to your 2022 list!
Jen says
Serious question-why do you need to note that the book is “R” rated? If the women here cannot handle SEX (gasp)! CUSSING (gasp)! How in the world have they made it this far??
Mix and Match Mama says
I used to not write that but then, I had several women let me know that they prefer not to read books heavy in foul language, violence or sexual content and yet, they were buying books based on my recommendations. I would never want someone to purchase a book that they wouldn’t have purchased had they known there was a lot of foul language in it, etc. I’m trying to be considerate.
AngieN says
The rating is very much appreciated, Shay!
Susanne says
I agree….very much appreciated.
SC says
I appreciate the warnings too! Thank you so much for being so considerate!! Happy & Blessed 2022!!
Shannon says
The same reason many of us check movie ratings before watching. It is appreciated!
Anna Lynn says
I know Sean has been reading Gentle and Lowly–are you going to read that one? My dance group is going through it and it’s SO good!! I highly recommend!
Danielle says
Beatriz Williams is one of my favorite authors and I am so excited to read Our Woman in Moscow. Some of my favorite books I read this year are The Thursday Murder Club, Be Frank with Me, Between Two Kingdoms, The Midnight Library, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, and We Begin at the End.
Amy says
Love your book reviews! I use them to fill up my Goodreads “Want to read” list. I should thank you for my Elin Hilderbrand craze, and I’m currently reading One True Loves, another one of your pics. 🙂
Eileen says
I love book review day!
My top 3 this year were:
– The Book of Lost Names
– The Four Winds
– The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell
My runners up were:
The Good Sister
Life’s Too Short
Golden Girl
Have You Seen Luis Velez?
Cara Shibley says
I have gotten more inspiration from your book reviews!! Thank you for doing them. One book I read this year that was given to me by my mother in law was Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. It stuck with me and haunted me( in a good way) that I will never forget this book. So many emotions wrapped into one book, you will have a very difficult time putting it down.
Aparna says
Just read it a few weeks back and loved it too! Made me cry several times!
Misty says
Read Redeeming Love 10 years ago and reread it again over Christmas. Highly recommend!! This book is timeless and one you will never forget!
Mix and Match Mama says
Awwwwww! I read that one years ago! It’s a classic!
Laura B says
Yay! I was happily surprised to see you had read the Matzah Ball too! I finished it a few weeks back! It was so cute, and I agree with your review!! I also thought it did a good job showing some truth to what living with a chronic illness can be like. And it also inspired me to go get some traditional Jewish baked goods afterwards. So. Good.!!!! ?
Cyndi W. says
Just wanted to be sure to thank you for your rich and thorough descriptions and your broad mindedness in reading and selecting books for your monthly and yearly posts! I look forward to downloading your recommendations every month. I will read Beatriz Williams book next (reading your rec Not a Happy Family at the moment.)
I could not recommend Apeirogon by Collum McCann more!
Cyndi W. says
I hit send too fast and wanted to add a bit about Colum McCann’s book,
Apeirogon A Novel, it’s based on the true story of an Israeli father grieving over the death of his daughter (13) with a Palestinian father grieving the death of his 10 year old daughter together. It’s heartbreaking and genius and hopeful all at the same time.
One additional compliment for you, Shay. Your book lists range from deadly serious to the chick lit. I really only noticed the brilliance of this last year (or, the year before all running together now) when trying to read a straight diet of anti-racist literature after the George Floyd murder. So, that’s how I read now, one heavy followed by one light and easy. Thank you for your great reviews that don’t need spoiler alerts but let you know if it’s something I’d like to read.
Janique says
I look forward to your book suggestions each month! Many of my top favourite books of the year were either suggested by you or your followers. I can’t thank you enough for bringing me back to my love of reading. Happy Holidays from Canada!
My favourites of 2021 are:
American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins
Dear Emmie Blue by Lia Louis
Float Plan by Trish Dollar
Running for My Life by Lopez Lomong and Mark Tabb
The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel
The Book of Negros by Lawrence Hill
The Brilliant LIfe of Eudora Honeysett by Annie Lyons
The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Dare
The Home for Unwanted Girls by Joanna Goodman
Truths I Never Told You by Kelly Rimer
Andrea Hooper says
Yes! The book of lost names was mind blowingly good!
Reba Petersen says
What a great list! My top 3 of 2021 are Frontier Follies (by Ree Drummond), Evvie Drake Starts Over (by Linda Holmes), and Beach Read (by Emily Henry). I’ve read them all at least twice & will read through them again. Honorable mentions go to Dear Santa by Nancy Naigle and The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins (I read it in 6 hours!).
Merry Christmas, Shay!
Reba says
I forgot to mention “The Invisible Husband of Frick Island.” I loved that one so much and I keep thinking about the characters and storyline.
Jennifer Pennington says
Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell, seriously SO GOOD! I’ve never read anything about Shakespeare’d life and this just blew me out of the water. I literally cried out at the ending and my heart felt like it was going to burst out of my chest!
Taylor says
Whaaat?? I thought you love historical fiction?!!? I can’t wait to read these books!
Rachel says
Oh I love your book review days!! Thank you for always giving me new recommendations. I just purchased Katie Couric’s book.
I read The Girl with Seven Names a couple yrs back based on your review and I just finished reading In Order To Live by Yeonmi Park a memoir about a N Korean girl’s escape. It was SO Good, life changing and just wow. I really think you should read it. Merry Christmas Shay!❤️
Tricia says
The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot! I loved this book so much, I laughed, I cried…such a beautiful well written book.
Janique Smythe says
100% AGREE! I loved this book as well!
Donna says
Have you read Make Your Bed by William H. McGraven? good book to read together as a family
Amanda Ritzmann says
My favorite of 2021 was Pachinko!!! You should read it!!
This year was a weird reading year for me too, I tried some different books and did not love most of them. Will definetely search for your recommendations for 2022 🙂
Jaren says
I look forward to this post every year too!!! I order them and share them with my girlfriends too! Okay, so you have to read THE ALICE NETWORK! I don’t think I’ve seen you review that one?? It has never left me. I remember every.single.detail. I researched after I read that book and want to visit those French towns more than ever.
It’s about a young woman and how she became a spy in WWII. It’s fascinating and nail-biting!!
Holly says
Shay, thank you so much for writing these posts each month. I was feeling a bit lost during the Spring of 2019 (weren’t we all!) and just happened upon one of your book reviews. You inspired me to pick up a book…and here I am…65 books read in 2021! I have rediscovered my love of reading, and as a byproduct, ignited a new love of reading in my three children. Thank you!
My top fiction reads this year were –
The Guncle by Steve Rowley
Sea Wife by Amity Gaige
The Glass Hotel by Emily St Mandel
Her Last Flight by Beatriz Williams
Float Plan by Trish Dollar
My top non fiction reads were –
Men We Reaped by Jessmyn Ward
Blackhawk Down by Mark Bowden
The Astronaut Wives Club by Lily Koppel
Jennifer says
The best book I read this year is The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel! Thank you for your monthly reviews and this yearly recap. I get so many good ideas from your lists. I also had a weird reading year and abandoned a lot of books but it really picked up at the end of the year. I look forward to reading Musical Chairs and Our Woman in Moscow in 2022!
Cris says
That Sounds Fun by Annie F. Downs!
Karah Stracener says
This is also my very favorite post of the year. I always read your book recommendations. I am adding your top 3 to my kindle to read for 2022. I recommend Fallen by TJ Newman. I am a huge Colleen Hoover fan thanks to your recommendations and just finished Layla. I have never read a Beatriz Williams book so I am excited to add her books to my kindle.
Susan Jeffries says
Thank you so much! After the loss of my dad, step father, and father in law this year, I have not been able to focus long enough to read. I recently started to read again and I am obsessed! I spent so much time checking out all of your books and I down loaded a few! I am excited to escape the world a bit and dive back into readying. Thanks for encouraging me! The women in our family are starting our own little book club in 2022 too! Merry Christmas!!
Alison says
Wow, what a great list!! I’ve read a few of these books, but you’re inspiring me to read much more next year! My favorite book of 2021 was Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr. Long but absolutely incredible!
Kristine G. says
I’m so bummed you didn’t name The Road Back to You as your #1 pick! ? I’ve been obsessed with the Enneagram since reading it (and listening to all the podcasts). I’m thinking about picking it for our neighborhood book club even though it’s not a “typical” book club book. Thoughts?
Most of my friends aren’t familiar with the Enneagram, but seem interested when I talk about it. I think we could have some good discussion!
Jennifer S says
I look forward to your monthly book review SO much and this post is my very favorite of the year!! I’ve gotten so many good recommendations from you..now if only there was more time to read!!
Cori says
The best book that I read this year was The Lighthouse Keeper’s Daughter, by Hazel Gaynor. I don’t rate a book 5 stars very often, but this one did it for me!!
Andrea Hooper says
The book of lost names by Kristen harmel! Oh my gosh. I read it and loved it so much that I told my husband he had to read it. He’s halfway through and also devouring it! Please add it to your list of books to read!
Paula says
Hmmm, based on your recommendation I read ‘Our Woman in Moscow’ the other day, and I have to say, I didn’t love it. I’m old enough, and in enough book clubs, to know that not everyone loves every book the same way. I find that it helps to discuss a book I don’t love with someone else sometimes (yay for book clubs), so I asked my husband what he thought, and he liked it much more than I did. He liked that it was from a different perspective – the impact of spying on people other than the spies. I understand that perspective better now, but I’m so sad for the kids! They had to deal with their parents’ drinking and how scary that was…that’s why I couldn’t love it
Nicole J says
My husband read 60 books this year and a book called Trejo was his #1! You might not recognize the name Danny Trejo, but when you see his picture, you will remember him from many movies including Con Air. My husband brought it on our Mexico vacation and after reading one page over his shoulder, I couldn’t wait to read it too! An amazing real life story of God’s redeeming grace!
Jen says
My favorite post of the year. Your monthly book reviews have changed my reading life. Your reviews and the comments section are so incredibly helpful and I love that you give us a heads up about content. Thank you for the recommendation about the Peachtree Bluff series. I read all 4 books this month and they were so delightful.
Leasa Zeppa says
Shay, can you recommend a good book to read for February book club? Something that lends itself to Valentine’s Day?
Mix and Match Mama says
Have you read Our Woman in Moscow? There is a love story woven in there 🙂 .
Amanda Glass says
Love, love the yearly book review!! I am trying to get into Musical Chairs, but it’s slow for me. I keep telling myself, “keep going, it’s a Top3!”
Mix and Match Mama says
Keep going!! 😉
Jen M says
Always look forward to your book posts!
Someone probably already told you this, but Hating Game (which I read because of your recommendation and loved!) came out as a movie a couple weeks ago. I thought it was pretty cute (as long as you don’t set your expectations too high) but I pictured the guy as way more brooding than the actor portrayed him.
Shannon says
You should check out The Wife Upstairs! Not scary, a very loose modern interpretation of Jane Eyre. Also loved The Wife Between Us.