2021 book roundup

Twelve months of reading – it was a very good year with lots of standouts. Reviews are linked.

Don’t Turn Around by Jessica Barry boasted a blurb / recommendation from Karin Slaughter, one of my favorite authors, and it definitely delivered. Two compelling female characters and a page-turning story. Great way to start the year!

The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead. Sad, sweet, horrifying, hopeful. https://bookthrasher.com/2021/01/26/two-novels-two-pulitzers-too-good-to-ignore/

Badass Habits by Jen Sincero. I like her style of writing which is funny and direct. Smart advice here… https://bookthrasher.com/2021/02/04/badass-habits/

My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell. Whew. I knew the subject matter going in, but still. Intense and honest and in the end, hopeful.

Unapologetically Ambitious by Shellye Archambeau. Wonderful memoir and guide for aspiring leaders. https://bookthrasher.com/2021/02/14/no-apology-necessary/

Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert. This is a laugh-out-loud rom-com of a novel. So glad I found this author! She’s hilarious, smart. Can’t wait to read her other books. Warning though: SEX! Ha. If you’re not into pages and pages of steamy encounters, this book isn’t for you.

Dear Child by Romy Hausmann. Very good but also sad. https://bookthrasher.com/2021/02/20/buckle-up/

The Talented Miss Farwell by Emily Gray Tedrowe. Ooh a charming sociopath! Loved this book. https://bookthrasher.com/2021/02/26/the-talented-miss-farwell/

Weather by Jenny Offill. Reviewed and recommended. https://bookthrasher.com/2021/03/06/heavy-weather/

The Highway by C.J. Box. ABC’s show Big Sky was based on this novel. I’ll probably check out more of him, he’s written a ton of books. https://bookthrasher.com/2021/03/29/the-highway/

The Hopefuls by Jennifer Close. Reviewed and recommended. https://bookthrasher.com/2021/04/12/the-hopefuls/

American Assassin by Vince Flynn. My brother recommended this author so I went back to the beginning of his Mitch Rapp series. I liked it, but I like macho police / CIA / military / freelance books. I’ll read more of Flynn, and now I need to get my brother to try Barry Eisler’s series about John Rain. https://bookthrasher.com/2021/05/06/thriller-twofer/

The Last Flight by Julie Clark https://bookthrasher.com/2021/05/06/thriller-twofer/

Time Warped by Claudia Hammond. Fascinating. https://bookthrasher.com/2021/05/03/time-warped/

Skywatchers by Carrie Arcos. Young Adult sci-fi, soon to be a movie! https://bookthrasher.com/2021/05/15/skywatchers/

Black Buck by  Mateo Askaripour. Crazy good. Please see my enthusiastic review. https://bookthrasher.com/2021/05/25/black-buck/

The Push by Ashley Audrain. Deserving of all the hype, but I wanted more! https://bookthrasher.com/2021/06/01/the-push/

Later by Stephen King. Sorry Steve, loved the book but hated the ending 😦 See my short review but judge for yourself! https://bookthrasher.com/2021/06/06/later-on/

The Girl in the Mirror by Rose Carlyle. A twins story! A sailing story! https://bookthrasher.com/2021/06/09/good-twin-bad-twin/

You Should Have Known by Jean Hanff Korelitz. The Undoing on HBO was based on this book. Oh my, so thoughtful and thought-provoking and worth it! https://bookthrasher.com/2021/07/01/shouldve-known-better/

The Premonition by Michael Lewis. I’ll read anything he writes, no matter the subject. You should read this book.

Blue Heaven by C.J. Box. I am now a member of the C.J. Box fan club. This is a standalone of his and it was super-good. https://bookthrasher.com/2021/07/20/two-books-plus-one/

A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles. Favorite book of the year so far! See my review and please, read it! https://bookthrasher.com/2021/08/14/simply-spectacular/

Early Morning Riser by Katherine Heiny. Happy but not sappy. Recommended! https://bookthrasher.com/2021/08/16/early-morning-riser/

Deacon King Kong by James McBride. I loved this book. Funny with a lot of heart. https://bookthrasher.com/2021/09/22/deacon-king-kong/

The Residence by Andrew Pyper. Thrilling and chilling, highly recommended. https://bookthrasher.com/2021/10/28/the-residence/

Falling by T. J. Newman Better-than-average thriller and debut novel. https://bookthrasher.com/2021/11/18/falling/

Rising Out of Hatred by Eli Saslow: the awakening of a former white nationalist. Biography of Derek Black

Billy Summers by Stephen King. Mixed feelings.

I also listened to the first 10 Joe Pickett novels on audiobook. I’m hooked on this series created by C.J. Box and will keep on until I’m all caught up. There are 21 of them so I’m only halfway through.