The 6 Best Books I Read in 2021

I’m SO late in writing this, I know. I wasn’t even sure if I was going to, but after seeing so many posts from other bloggers, I decided to go ahead. Here’s my list of the best books I read in 2021.

I usually make it a goal to read at least 3 books every month, if not more. With blogging and doing more of my own writing, I’ve noticed I haven’t read as much as I’d like. But, still, I was able to amass a fair number of reads last year. And of those, these 6 were my favorites.

Related Read: Autumn Reading List: Best Books to Read This Fall

My 6 Best Books of 2021

Everyone has their favorite genres when it comes to reading. For me, I gravitate heavily towards psychological thrillers, contemporary fiction, and women’s lit. I’m not huge into romance novels or chick-lit, but every so often, it’s a nice escape. Particularly in the summer-time.

Normally, though, I love a good psychological or domestic suspense novel. But when looking at what I consider the best books, I pick the ones that stay with me long after I close the last page.

Below are my six favorites from last year – in no particular order. And keep reading for a closer look at each of them.

1. The Push • Ashley Audrain

Genre: Psychological Thriller; Domestic Fiction

Alright, I know I said that this list isn’t in order. And that’s mostly true. Except for this first one. The Push was by far the best book I read in 2021. In fact, it’s probably the best book I’ve read in a while.

There are elements of both domestic suspense and psychological thriller in this one. But there are also elements of literary fiction. Audrain writes beautifully – especially considering that this is her debut novel. I’m eagerly awaiting what she does next.  

2. The Disappearing Act • Catherine Steadman

Genre: Psychological Thriller; Women’s Fiction

I’m a huge fan of books set in Hollywood. That alone was the reason I picked this one up. And it did not disappoint.

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Back Cover Blurb

Blythe Connor is determined to be a good mother to her new baby, Violet.

But in the thick of motherhood’s exhausting early days, Blythe becomes convinced that something is wrong — her daughter doesn’t behave like most children do.

Or is it all in Blythe’s head? Her husband, Fox, says she’s imagining things. The more he dismisses her fears, the more she begins to question her own sanity.

Then their son Sam is born—and with him, Blythe has the blissful mother-child connection she’d always imagined. But when life as they know it is changed in an instant, the devastating fall-out forces Blythe to face the uncomfortable truth.

Back Cover Blurb

A woman has gone missing. But did she ever really exist?

Mia Eliot is a British actress hoping to make a splash in America during L.A.’s grueling pilot season.

Instead, she discovers the sinister side of Hollywood when Emily, a newfound friend, goes missing. And Mia was the last person to see her.

Emily mysteriously disappears following an audition, after asking Mia to do a simple favor.

But nothing is simple. Nothing is as is seems. And nothing prepares Mia for a startling truth: In a city where dreams really do come true, nightmares can follow.

3. Shoulder Season • Christina Clancy

Genre: Historical Fiction; Domestic Fiction; Coming-of-Age Novel

Technically, I finished this one the first week of January. But since I started it in December, I decided to count it as a 2021 read. It’s another one that had a captivating premise: the Playboy restaurant scene of the 1980’s. Even though it was fiction, it was a fascinating peek inside part of our cultural history.

4. The Other Black Girl • Zakiya Dalila Harris

Genre: Psychological Thriller; Magical Realism; Satire

This book gave me major Get Out vibes and I was so here for it! Without giving too much away, I’ll just say it’s got one of the most unique premises I’ve come across.

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Back Cover Blurb

The small town of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin is an unlikely location for a Playboy Resort, and nineteen-year old Sherri Taylor is an unlikely bunny.

But when her parents die in quick succession, Sherri leaves the only home she’s ever known for the chance to be part of a glamorous slice of history. In the winter of 1981, in a costume two sizes too small, her toes pinched by stilettos, she embarks on the defining experience of her life.

Living in the “bunny hutch”—Playboy’s version of a college dorm—Sherri gets her education in the joys of sisterhood, the thrill of financial independence, the magic of first love, and the heady effects of sex, drugs, and rock and roll.

But as spring gives way to summer, Sherri finds herself caught in a romantic triangle—and the tragedy that ensues will haunt her for the next forty years.

Back Cover Blurb

Twenty-six-year-old editorial assistant Nella Rogers is tired of being the only Black employee at Wagner Books. Fed up with the isolation and microaggressions, she’s thrilled when Hazel starts working in the cubicle beside hers. They’ve only just started comparing natural hair care regimens, though, when a string of uncomfortable events elevates Hazel to Office Darling, leaving Nella in the dust.

Then the notes begin to appear on Nella’s desk: LEAVE WAGNER. NOW.

It’s hard to believe Hazel is behind these hostile messages. But as Nella starts to spiral and obsess over the sinister forces at play, she soon realizes that there’s a lot more at stake than just her career.

5. A Special Place for Women • Laura Hankin

Genre: Suspense; Humorous Fiction; Women’s Fiction

In 2020, I read Laura Hankin’s debut novel, Happy and You Know It. I absolutely devoured it and couldn’t wait to get my hands on her follow-up. And I gotta say, A Special Place For Women was even better.

6. Malibu Rising • Taylor Jenkins Reid

Genre: Women’s Fiction; Historical Fiction

Taylor Jenkins Reid is one of those authors whose books I’ll always pick up. While this one wasn’t as good as Daisy Jones or The Seven Husband’s of Evelyn Hugo, it was thoroughly entertaining.

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Back Cover Blurb

For years, rumors have swirled about an exclusive, women-only social club where the elite tastemakers of NYC meet.

People in the know whisper all sorts of claims: Membership dues cost $1,000 a month. Last time Rihanna was in town, she stopped by and got her aura read. The women even handpicked the city’s first female mayor. But no one knows for sure.

That is, until journalist Jillian Beckley decides she’s going to break into the club. With her career in freefall, Jillian needs a juicy scoop, and she has a personal interest in bringing these women down.

But the deeper she gets into this new world, the more she learns that bad things happen to those who dare to question the club’s motives or giggle at its outlandish rituals.

The select group of women who populate the club may be far more powerful than she ever imagined.

And far more dangerous too.

Back Cover Blurb

Malibu: August 1983. It’s the day of Nina Riva’s annual end-of-summer party.

Everyone wants to be around the famous Rivas: Nina, the talented surfer and supermodel; brothers Jay and Hud, one a championship surfer, the other a renowned photographer; and their adored baby sister, Kit. Together the siblings – offspring of legendary singer Mick Riva – are a source of fascination.

The only person not looking forward to the party of the year is Nina herself, who has just been very publicly abandoned by her pro tennis player husband. Oh, and maybe Hud—because it is long past time for him to confess something to the brother from whom he’s been inseparable since birth.

Jay, on the other hand, is counting the minutes until nightfall, when the girl he can’t stop thinking about promised she’ll be there.

And Kit has a couple secrets of her own—including a guest she invited without consulting anyone.

By midnight the party will be completely out of control. By morning, the Riva mansion will have gone up in flames. But before that first spark in the early hours before dawn, the alcohol will flow, the music will play, and the loves and secrets that shaped this family’s generations will all come rising to the surface.

Most Anticipated Books of 2022

There are a ton of great books coming out in 2022. My TBR list grows longer by the minute. But here are a few that I’m the most excited about.  

Have you read any of these? What were the best books you read last year? Make sure to share in the comments below!

xx
Katie

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