Hello and welcome to another post!
I cannot believe that we are six months into 2021. I have read over 160 books this year, with this post I will be highlighting my favourite and worse books so far. I had so much fun working on this tag last year and I have so much more books for this year.
You might notice some ads in the middle of this post. Your girl is just trying to make some money, so click/check them out if you are interested. It helps out the blog!
My Bookish Goal: 300
BEST BOOK YOU’VE READ SO FAR IN 2021
Kim Ji Young, Born 1982 by Cho Nam-Joo
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This is not necessarily the best book I read this year, but it is definitely one of the most relevant. It highlights major feminist issues and the effect misogyny have on women over a period of time. Check out my Review: Here
BEST SEQUEL YOU’VE READ SO FAR IN 2021
Chain of Iron by Cassandra Clare
The Crown of Gilded Bones by Jennifer Armentrout
I did not read a lot of sequels and these two might actually be the only ones that I have read in a bit. I usually read series when I know they are completed or I sometimes lose interest along the way. However, in August I will be doing a Sequel-a-thon, where I just try to read as many sequels as I can in a week.
NEW RELEASE YOU HAVEN’T READ YET BUT WANT TO
The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris
Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters
MOST ANTICIPATED RELEASE FOR THE SECOND HALF OF THE YEAR
The Heart Principle by Helen Hoang
Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney
BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT
Circe by Madeline Miller
This is one of those books that booktok and bookstagram love so much. Yes, I fell for the hype and I was disappointed. It was not necessarily a bad book because I did not DNF it but it was just a struggle to read through. I have given my thoughts in my review HERE
BIGGEST SURPRISE
Murmuration by Blake Auden
5th
Heaven by Meiko Kawakami
These two books are high on the list of my favourite books so far this year. The fact that I had no expectation of either was possibly why I enjoyed it so much. I have a review of Heaven on my blog. It is a story of friendship, acceptance and homicidal bullying! Murmuration is a poetry collection that just spoke of beauty. It will be published on October 5th, 2021. It is one to look out for. I have a review of it HERE
FAVOURITE NEW AUTHOR (DEBUT OR NEW TO YOU
Meiko Kawakami (Author of Breasts and Eggs / Heaven)
Ocean Vuong (Poet, Author of On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous / Night Sky With Exit Wounds)
NEWEST FICTIONAL CRUSH
Hades from Neon Gods by Katee Robert
I have read this book twice since a copy was sent to me. If you are looking for a modern retelling of Hades and Persephone but extremely steamy, then this is the book for you.
Check out my review: HERE
NEWEST FAVOURITE CHARACTER
Ryan Kingston from A Secret for a Secret by Helena Hunting
I am not going to say much about this character. In a very steamy romance, he is a well-mannered socially aware person. He was such a good main character, he was so accepting and understanding and just sweet but at the same time sexy that even his dirty talk was so clean. I can’t, I am in love with him.
A BOOK THAT MADE YOU CRY
The Woman in the White Kimono by Ana Johns
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What If You & Me by Roni Loren
Instructions for Dancing by Nicola Yoon
With this one, I have to say that I have read a lot of books that made me cry this year. I have a long list, but I have narrowed it down to these three. I have added links to my review of each book. I hope you check it out.
A BOOK THAT MADE YOU HAPPY
On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong
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For this specific question, I have to explain. This book made me happy not because it was funny or light-hearted but because it wasn’t. The way Ocean Vuong writes is so lyrical and it pulls you in as a reader. It is also like you experience war, love and the relationships portrayed within. I was happy to read this book and learn more about his community through his eyes.
THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BOOK YOU’VE BOUGHT OR RECEIVED THIS YEAR
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
What books do you need to read by the end of the year
One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston
Almond by Won-pyung Sohn
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
Tess of D’Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy
Jade City by Fonda Lee
The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang
I have a lot of books on my ‘must’ read on my TBR!!!!!!!
Thanks for reading.