I had hoped to get this post out a little earlier, but life with a newborn has made for an interesting change of pace. But better late than never, so I present my ten favorite books of 2021 (listed in the order that I read them, to keep things simple):

The Guest List: Lucy Foley (fiction)
I’m a sucker for a good mystery and this one had complex layers and heart-grabbing characters. It was also interesting to read a book knowing one of the characters was going to die, without officially knowing (called it!) who it was going to be. Super fun, engaging read.

The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise: Dan Gemeinhart (MG fiction)
I don’t always cry while reading middle grade novels, but when I do… Hot dang. This beautiful story of a father and daughter dealing with (read: running from) grief destroyed my emotions in the best possible way. Do yourself a favor and read this gem, but probably don’t read it in public.

The Trials of Morrigan Crow: Jessica Townsend (MG fiction)
Another middle grade novel, this one whimsical and fun and much less likely to make you sob. I read the first two books in this series back to back and they were both absolutely delightful. I need to get my hands on the third book.

Everything Sad is Untrue: Daniel Nayeri (fiction, sort of )
This is quite possibly the best book I have ever read. The author’s true story is presented in fictional form, written as if he is still twelve years old and living in the thick of it. A poetic tale of immigration and faith, there is not a single person I know that I would not recommend read this book.

Prayer in the Night: Tish Harrison Warren (non-fiction)
This book saved my life. No, really. It was air to my spiritual lungs when I was drowning in the sea of miscarriage. By the time I surfaced from these pages, I was starting to feel alive again. It is probably designed for a very specific audience, but it just so happened that I was that audience, so five stars from me.

All You Can Ever Know: Nicole Chung (memoir)
Memoirs aren’t usually my cup of tea. I find that real life, especially a life that is still in the midst of being lived, often feels sloppy and unfinished in book form. However, the hot button topic of interracial adoption was hard for me to pass up. I love the way Nicole gives credit to both sets of parents, discussing the trials she faced as an adoptee, but also acknowledging the hardships she may have faced had her birth parents made a different choice. This is a beautiful exploration of identity.

Hunt, Gather, Parent: Michaeleen Doucleff (non-fiction)
A story in which a journalist takes her toddler to live among various cultures around the world in order to learn better ways to parent? Yes, please. This book exposes all of the things Western culture has lost and issues an invitation to reclaim them.

The Dirt Cure: Maya Shetreat-Klein (non-fiction)
Aside from the fact that this book will make you never want to buy food from a grocery store again, it was an amazing read. A fascinating look at the things we consume and the need for good germs in our lives.

The Queen Will Betray You: Sarah Henning (YA fiction)
This is the sequel to The Princess Will Save You, which can be described as a gender-bent Princess Bride. Fun, frivolous, wonderful read.

Skyward: Brandon Sanderson (YA fiction)
A sci-fi adventure where humans are just trying to survive on a destitute planet, featuring a heroine who wants to make a home in the stars. I read all three of the current books in this series in pretty quick succession.

If you’re looking for book recommendations, those are mine. I even put my top three in bold print for you so you know which ones to prioritize.