Reading Review: Every Book I Read in 2021

Today, I’m sharing every single book that I read in 2021! Even though I didn’t complete my reading goal last year, I still think I had a pretty good reading year since I was able to try out new genres and authors, and generally had fun with what I read.

In this post, I’ll be breaking down the books by my ratings, stats, and discussing my favorites!

Every Book I Read in 2021, In Order

Starting Over at Acorn Cottage by Kate Forster
The Selection by Kiera Cass
Religion in Korea: Harmony & Coexistence by Robert Koehler
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Life of Pi by Yann Martel
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Angels & Demons by Dan Brown
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
Kamala and Maya’s Big Idea by Meena Harris, Illustrated by Ana González
Together Tea by Marjan Kamali
Freedom Is a Constant Struggle: Ferguson, Palestine, and the Foundations of a Movement by Angela Y. Davis
Parfaits and Paramours (Pelican Cover, #7) by Leena Clover
The Frugal Life: How a Family Can Live Under $30,000 and Thrive by Kate Singh
Mummies in the Morning (Magic Tree House, #3) by Mary Pope Osborne
Tonight on the Titanic (Magic Tree House, #17) by Mary Pope Osborne
Revolutionary War on Wednesday (Magic Tree House, #22) by Mary Pope Osborne
The Fellowship of the Ring (The Lord of the Rings, #1) by J.R.R. Tolkien
Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders by Vincent Bugliosi

Let’s Break It Down

I read 18 books, meaning I only completed 50% of my Goodreads goal (36 books).

I read 10 books digitally on Kindle, and 8 books physically. I also read one book in tandem with its audiobook.

I read 4 non-fiction books and 14 fiction books.

The non-fiction books break down as follows: 1 religion & spirituality, 1 social justice, 1 housekeeping, and 1 true crime. Also, Freedom Is a Constant Struggle was a collection of essays and interviews.

The fiction books break down into the following genres: 4 children’s books, 1 romance, 1 cozy mystery, 1 mystery thriller, 1 young adult dystopian, 1 high fantasy, 1 novella, and 4 literary fiction.

I read 4 classics! I’m counting LOTR.

Only 3 books were written by diverse authors.

My average star-rating was a 3.8, with my highest rating a 5 and my lowest rating a 2. My most common rating was 4 stars.

Worst Books of the Year

I didn’t like how this book sugar coated history to the point that it almost seemed like propaganda. There are many other Magic Tree House books that are age-appropriate for young children and are still educational. This one missed the mark for me.

I was hoping to read more of the author’s personal journey, anecdotes, and general tips that anyone could use, but instead found that there were lots of lists, recipes, links to other websites, and examples of money-saving ideas too specific to the author’s unique lifestyle for me to use in my own life. I didn’t care much for the organization of the information, either.

Best Books of the Year

This book was different from what I expected, and I found the ending both shocking and disappointing. However, Charlotte Bronte’s writing was so riveting and beautiful and I enjoyed delving into some analysis and comparing it with the film adaptation. I could see myself reading this again and gaining something new each time.

I thought this novel was charming and challenging and sad. I really liked the discussions about religion and reality, and of course the fantastical elements were very mystifying and entertaining. I was disappointed to learn the author was not Indian themselves but I still think the storytelling was masterful.

I wish more people knew about this book! The dual perspectives of the mother and daughter, as well as the flashbacks between pre-revolutionary Iran and present day immigrant life in America were so powerful. I loved learning about Iranian culture through both main characters’ eyes.

Most Fun Books of the Year

The whole setting of the pink cottage in a little English village in the countryside was so cozy and lovely. I didn’t find the romantic relationship to be cheesy or forced, and the intimate scenes were not cringy or tacky. I think the relationships the main character formed with other women in town were the most impactful. Overall, this was a very heartwarming, charming story.

Sometimes I think there is nothing more fun than a teen dystopian novel. The premise is always a little farfetched, but once you accept it, it’s so much fun learning about the new world, the rules of society, what’s at stake, and of course the revolution that is bubbling under the surface and about to boil over. Is *The Selection* great literature? No, but it’s a fun story with interesting characters in an interesting dystopian world. Plus the whole idea of “American royalty” really appeals to my younger self. I’m looking forward to continuing the series this year.

So that’s it for my 2021 reading review! Did you read any of the books on my list? What were your best and worst books of last year? Let me know down in the comments!

Thanks for reading!