I always look forward to writing my end-of-year posts. I typically write two posts: one summarizes the year as a whole and the other is focused on reflecting what I read. I always use Perpetual Page Turner’s End of Year Survey. It always provides a great summary of what I read. Let’s dive into my reading year in 2021.

**2021 Reading Stats**

The Number of Books Read: 35 (counting only books + graphic novels and not single-issue comics

The Number of Re-Reads: 3 which was slightly better than last year. I re-read two books last year.

Genre You Read the Most From: I would say thriller or mysteries would be the genre I read the most.

1. Best Book in 2021

The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood was such a lighthearted read. I’m not usually big into reading romance, but this book was so good. I liked the science and Olive’s tenacity for researching pancreatic cancer and I thought the relationship between Olive and Adam was genuine. Ali Hazelwood is a new favorite author of mine.

2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going to Love More But Didn’t ?

I read The Maidens while waiting for a delayed flight at an airport. I remember finishing this book and being more disappointed in the book than the fact my flight was delayed. This was such a disappointing read. There was a big twist that didn’t work for me and in my opinion, destroyed Mariana’s main arc. Additionally, I felt that parts of this book were a bit unrealistic. For example, several young women were following around an older college professor. Everyone would find this super creepy, yet Mariana had to convince everyone that this professor was trash.

3. Most Surprising (in a good way or bad way) book you read?

I selected Lock Every Door by Riley Sager for this because of what Jules had to go through. I genuinely thought nothing bad would happen to Jules until Sager pulled the rug out from under me and I realized that anything could happen. It was a nice surprise and it made me root for Jules to survive.

4. Best Sequel

A Beautiful Corpse by Christi Daugherty is book #2 in the Harper McClain series. Harper is a crime reporter in Savannah, GA. In this sequel, Harper is investigating the death of a young law student. Throughout the series, Harper is trying to find out who murdered her mom when she was young. Towards the end of this book, Harper finds a tip that may help her solve her mom’s murder. I like the setting of Savannah and I like Harper as a character.

5. Best Book from a Genre You Don’t Typically Read?

I read A League of Denial by Mark Fainaru-Wada and Steve Fainaru which chronicles CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy) and how CTE was discovered. Once CTE is discovered, it’s clear the NFL doesn’t want this to come out and tries to bury the evidence. Several football players including Mike Webster and Junior Seau are diagnosed with CTE after their deaths. I’m not big into non-fiction, but this book grabbed my attention and I was engrossed in this story. Is it because I’m getting old that I’m starting to like non-fiction? I have a few non-fiction books on my TBR and re-read pile that I hope to read in 2022.

6. Favorite Cover of A Book You Read in 2021?

I read They Never Learn recently and I have to say this cover is amazing. The first word I think of when I see this cover is gothic. The book takes place on a college campus and I think this cover summarizes the book and the setting.

7. Most Beautifully Written Book Read in 2021?

The House in the Cerulean Sea is such a lovely and beautifully written book about love and acceptance.

8. Most Thought Provoking Book of 2021?

Devil’s Knot The True Story of the West Memphis Three is a tragic story for many reasons. Three boys were wrongly convicted of murdering three younger boys. Part of this conviction was based on rumors that the three boys were into worshipping Satan which was unfounded. Adding on to the tragedy, we probably won’t find out who killed those three little boys because of this town convicting innocent teens. It’s a dark book, but well worth reading.

9. OTP (one true pairing)

Olive and Adam in The Love Hypothesis are couple goals. I love them together.

10. Best Book Read in 2021 That I Read Based Solely on a Recommendation (Bookstagram, Friend Recommended etc.)

Everyone was raving about A Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix. My local bookstore had this on display, another booktuber I follow was discussing Grady Hendrix as an author. I felt compelled to read this myself. I’m glad I did! I loved this book. I’m excited to read more Grady Hendrix next year.

1. Favorite Post I Wrote in 2021?

My favorite post I wrote this year was Fangirl Revisited – 6 Years Later. I remember loving Fangirl, however, when I re-read it, it felt like I was reading a completely different book.

2. Best Bookish Event in 2021?

At C2E2 this year, I met Jason Muhr and Kami Garcia who illustrate and write some of my favorite comics I have read. It was exciting being able to talk with them about their series.

1. One Book You Didn’t Get To in 2020 But Will Be Your Number #1 Priority in 2021?

I plan to go back to my Spooky TBR. I want to start with either The Guest List by Lucy Foley or The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner.

3. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading / Blogging Life in 2021?

I want to read more non-fiction. I think it’s a nice break from reading the same genres all the time.

As always, I linked the Perpetual Page-Turner End of Year Survey above. Happy Reading!