My Top 5 Books of 2021

In early 2021, my bestie invited me to join her book club. I had just gotten out of my audit busy season and didn’t have (or make) much time to read for pleasure. After joining this group of supportive, strong, and dynamic women (tbh really my new sistas at this point), it sparked my love for reading for fun! They inspired me not only to read more (also not feel bad if I only read one book per month) but to read beyond my previously (and still) loved genres.

Last December (pre-book club), I made a list of 10 books I read in 2020. I’m extremely proud to say that I read 31 books this year! My initial goal was 15, so it was definitely a surprise to have more than doubled it! To have gone from zero in 2019, 10 in 2020, to 31 freaking books in 2021…WHO IS THIS GIRL?! I didn’t know she existed, but she’s here to stay and I love her!

Side note: These books are an extension of my 101 in 1001 goal to read 10 books over 2.75 years – so additional YAY!

While I would love to list every single book I read in a post, I’ve narrowed down my top 5 books of 2021. I keep track of all books I’ve read and any “want to reads” on my Goodreads profile. Follow along there for all of the books (and my ratings) I’ve read in 2021 and anything I read going forward.

Here are my top 5 books of 2021:

1. The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley

Read if you like: Murder mystery, suspense, first-person narratives by chapter

When a group of old college friends is snowed in at an isolated hunting lodge in the Scottish Highlands over NYE, deep rooted secrets and insecurities start surfacing and come to a head. In classic Lucy Foley style, one of them dies and the killer is among them. I really enjoyed this book! I read The Guest List first during my Getaway last year so I was familiar with the format of the book (ie. each chapter is written from the perspective of one of the main characters and flips from present-day to flashbacks). Each chapter pulls a layer away and eventually brings us to a surprise twist (I really had no idea).

Full disclosure: It did take me a few chapters to get into the book because the format was similar but I still thoroughly enjoyed the journey and twist at the end!

2. You by Caroline Kepnes

Read if you like: Thriller, erotica (lol), books turned Netflix shows

Set in NYC, Guinevere Beck, an aspiring writer, meets Joe Goldberg at an East Village bookstore. After multiple “chance” meetings, Joe and Beck become an official couple. Not only is Joe determined to be the perfect boyfriend, but he wants to make sure he is the only love in Beck’s life…no matter the cost. I listened to the audiobook and boy was it an experience. I watched Season 1 (and season 2) of the Netflix show before reading the book so I generally knew what to expect. GUYS – the book was borderline erotica…or what my assumption of erotica was. The show portrays Joe as a creepy stalker, but a PG version. I will just say that the book includes *ALL* of his NSFW thoughts. Overall I thought the book was great and made me feel a little…dare I say, bad, for Joe (aside from his *SPOILER* serial killer tendencies). I have the second and third books in the series, Hidden Bodies and You Love Me, on my “Want to Read” list in Goodreads!

Fun fact: The audiobook is read by Santino Fontana who plays Greg in Crazy Ex Girlfriend (one of my fave shows) AND was the voice of Prince Hans in Frozen!!

3. Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Read if you like: script-like dialogue, historical fiction, love, drama, rock and roll

This book documents the rise and fall of the fictional 70s band, Daisy Jones & The Six. Filled with complicated family and relationship dynamics and of course lots of drugs, sex, and rock and roll, this interview-style book takes you into the lives of each member and what ultimately caused their demise. This was the second book club pick since I joined in April and became one of my favorite books of all time! I listened to the audiobook by recommendation (thank you Carlie!!) and it was incredible. I was bummed that this band wasn’t real, but I can’t wait until the Reese Witherspoon miniseries is released!!

4. What Happened to You? By Dr. Bruce Perry and Oprah Winfrey

Read if you like: Self-help, emotional/psychological studies, Oprah

Another book club pick that helped me be more mindful of those around me. Oprah and Dr. Perry, a renowned brain and trauma expert, explore how people navigate trauma and healing through deeply personal conversations. They help us shift from “What’s wrong with you” to “What happened to you” and it changed my perspective on how we should approach understanding others. A tough read at times, but really eye-opening.

5. Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb

Read if you like: Self-help, therapy, relationship dynamics, TO READ AT ALL

The most recent non-fiction book club pick, this book also makes the list of my all-time favorites. Lori Gottlieb takes us on the journey of four of her patients as a therapist, as well as her own journey being the patient herself. Every chapter taught me something new and had some sort of an AHA! moment for me. This book was heartbreaking, insightful, and inspiring and I’ve just about recommended this to everyone I know at this point. If you are looking for a life-changing read, pick this up!

I’ve made an ambitious goal to read 36 books in 2022 (which is roughly 3 books per month). It’s only 4 more than what I read in 2021 but hopefully I can surpass my goal this year too!

Hopefully, this inspires you to read more, whether it’s one book for the year or one book per month. There’s no better time to start than now!

Happy reading!

Vivian