Best of 2021

Best of 2021 – Top 12 Books

Jonetta | Blue Mood Café


Another great year for reading as I explored even more genres and new authors.  This list of twelve represents my best choices of the many I enjoyed. They weren’t all published in 2021 but read this year. I hope you’ll consider adding and enjoy them at least as much as I did.


1. Well-Behaved Indian Women by Saumya Dave
I was hoping to learn more about Indian culture from a woman’s perspective who was also raised in America and this was a rich treasure. It was an extraordinary story.

 


2. Faithless in Death by J. D. Robb
It’s the 51st book in a series that still manages to surprise and enthrall me. It never gets old.

 

 


3. Little Cruelties by Liz Nugent
Nobody does psychological thrillers like Nugent and this one wiped away the hours of a road trip like magic. Her narrators for the audio version just elevate it to greatness.

 

 


4. The Night Swim by Megan Goldin
I will never forget this book, one my face-to-face club chose for discussion. It more than lives up to the hype.

 

 

 


5. No More Secrets by Cate Beauman
I love my Indie writers, especially this one. This was a beautiful story with an intriguing  mystery that culminated here. The entire series was a win and left me in a happy place.

 

 


6. Pack Up the Moon by Kristan Higgins 
Higgins, literally, cannot write an uninteresting story. She will always be an auto read and this story was one I couldn’t stop listening to until the end.

 

 

 


7. Win by Harlan Coben
I started out with Coben’s Myron Bolitar series where this character, Win, was spawned. When I learned he was not only getting his own book but a series, I couldn’t wait to begin. It surpassed my expectations.

 

 


8. The Only Plane in the Sky by Garrett M. Graff
I listened to this story on 9/11 to acknowledge the 20th anniversary of the tragedy. If you think you’ve heard all there was to know about what happened that day, you’ll be surprised (as I was) by this collection of recountings. They still haunt me.

 

 


9. No Hiding in Boise by Kim Hooper
I’ve read several stories involving mass shootings but nothing like this one, told from the perspectives of survivors, victims and the mother of the shooter. Best listened to on audio with multiple narrators.

 

 


10. Lightning Strike by William Kent Krueger
This was a gift to all the fans of the <i>Cork O’Connor</i> series, a prequel that gave us much appreciated background on our beloved character.

 

 

 


11. We are Not Like Them by Christine Pride & Jo Piazza 
A powerful story that seems to get everything right, no matter how painful. It’s authenticity made it one of my most impactful for the year.

 

 

 


12. All the Lonely People by Mike Gayle
New to me author, I was unprepared to absolutely love this story. I didn’t want it to end.

 

 

 

Any of these on your list of favorites?
What are some of yours?

Published by Jonetta | Blue Mood Café

27 thoughts on “Best of 2021 – Top 12 Books”

  2. There was this time I read a lot of Coben books. With time, I started losing interest; I felt the plots weren’t just as great anymore. I’m almost tempted to pick up WIN. A great collection. I’m sure you had a fantastic time reading them.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  5. The only one I’ve read there is the JD Robb, and I love how she keeps the series fresh after over 50 books.
    Difficult to pick a favourite but KJ Charles never disappoints and Subtle Blood and The Gentle Art of Fortune Hunting were excellent. Also Sara Paretsky and The Murderbot diaries
    Gill

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  12. You read such an interesting variety of books! I’m about to start a different William Kent Krueger book for my book group (Ordinary Grace), but I keep hearing that I should try the series you mention as well. I’d really like to check out Well Behaved Indian Women!

    Like

    Reply

Comment anyone?