I read so many good books in 2021. Honestly, it’s been a pretty fabulous reading year so far and I’m thrilled about the incredible books I got to discover and can’t wait to see where the rest of the year brings us. Reading-wise, obviously.
It’s a little bit of a tradition here to share our best reads of the year so far around the middle of each year, so we’re back at it again! The questions for this are taken from a little thing called the Mid Year Book Freakout Tag. While we were going to write this post anyway, we were tagged by our incredible friend and blogger Caro to do this, too, so feel free to check out her wonderful post as well for more recommendations!
Okay. You got your notebook ready? Let me tell you: you’re going to need one to write down all of those awesome books you can’t miss. Let’s get started!
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1. Best book you’ve read so far in 2021
Nyx: The Ones We’re Meant To Find. This book is BRILLANT. It’s been a while now but I still can’t stop thinking about it. The world-building, the characters, the writing, I loved it all. Honorable mentions to Malibu Rising, Crier’s War and Q!
Marie: Without a doubt, The Ones We’re Meant To Find. I’m still shook just thinking about this book and its brillance. The world-building, the relationships, the imagination, the emotions. I’m speechless. Read this.
☂️ Find the book on: Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
2. Best sequel you’ve read so far in 2021
Nyx: Girls with Razor Hearts. To be fair I only read two sequels this year… Like the first one, this sequel was thought-provoking, unique, and so, so, addictive!
☂️ Find the book on: Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
Marie: Okay so this is also the only sequel I read this year… but well. Still, it counts! I really enjoyed Anna K. and Anna K. Away was such a fun, entertaining, drama-filled sequel.
☂️ Find the book on: Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
3. New release you haven’t read yet, but want to
Nyx: Ugh, there are so many!! I guess I would go with Take Me Home Tonight. I LOVE Morgan Matson and I bet she won’t disappoint! Two best friends on a wild night in the city that never sleeps, doesn’t it sound promising?!
☂️ Find the book on: Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
Marie: Follow Your Arrow is about a bisexual social influencer. After she breaks up with her famous girlfriend, she falls for a guy who doesn’t know about her online life… this book sounds AMAZING and I’m just so excited to read it!!
☂️ Find the book on: Bookshop – Book Depository – Blackwell’s
4. Most anticipated release for the second half of the year
Nyx: Like A Love Song! It’s about Natalie, a Latina teen pop star, whose image takes a dive after a very messy public breakup, until she’s set up with a sweet and charming fake boyfriend. Fake dating? Pop stars? I need this one NOW!
☂️ Find the book on: Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
Marie: I loved Victoria Lee’s The Fever King duology and I am so eager to read A Lesson in Vengeance next. It’s set at boarding school, there are witchcraft rumors and darkness looming and I don’t know, it sounds so good I just want to read it okay.
☂️ Find the book on: Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
We also have a full blog post with some of our most anticipated reads for the second part of 2021!
5. Biggest disappointment
Nyx: I Think I Love You. Don’t take me wrong, it was very cute and sweet and entertaining…. I just found the characters a bit too whiny. I think I may be too old (and maybe too cynical).
☂️ Find the book on: Bookshop – Book Depository – Blackwell’s
Marie: I had high hopes for The Marvelous. Teenagers stuck in a mansion, trying to win a game hosted by a the creator of a social media platform? Unfortunately, I felt overwhelmed and lost sometimes within the story.
☂️ Find the book on: Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
6. Biggest surprise
Nyx: The Flatshare. Reading the blurb, you would think you’re in for a very cute and fluffy romance (and YES you totally are) but also the story is rooted in some serious topics. It felt realistic, and honest and true to real life.
☂️ Find the book on: Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
Marie: I’m still thinking about this and wondering WHAT did I just read and WHY did it take me so long to get around to it. I love Crier’s War with ALL of my heart. The world-building, the relationships, the everything. SO GOOD.
☂️ Find the book on: Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
7. Favorite new author (debut or new to you)
Nyx: Amelia Diane Coombs! Between You, Me, and the Honeybees was the first book I’ve read from her and I really really enjoyed it. I loved the plot, the characters, the writing and all the serious topics she tackled like college isn’t everything, the importance to follow your own path, the anxiety representation… Can’t wait to read more from her!
☂️ Find the book on : Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
Marie: Ace of Spades was EXCELLENT (yes, in ALL CAPS please) and honestly, I’m so excited to read more from Faridah. Read this EXCELLENT BOOK PLEASE.
☂️ Find the book on: Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
8. Newest fictional crush
Nyx: Tarek from We Can’t Keep Meeting Like This. First of all, go read this one now! To be honest, I hate grand, public love gestures (I would hide underground if I could…no kidding!) but Tarek is so sweet and kind and an inspiring baker!! He deals with some personal struggles and it just made me love him even more.
☂️ Find the book on: Bookshop – Book Depository – Blackwell’s
Marie: XOXO was such an adorable, heartwarming read and I loved Jaewoo so much. He was a wonderful love interest, kind and a little overprotective at times, but I loved him!
☂️ Find the book on : Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
9. Newest favorite character
Nyx: Nina from Malibu Rising. She’s the oldest daughter, the responsible one, the caretaker. The one who will sacrifice her own desires and dreams to hold her family together. I felt so invested in her and her well-being. I loved the bond she had with her siblings and I just wanted her to be okay.
☂️ Find the book on: Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
Marie: I need to say that I will read anything Amelia Diane Coombs writes. I loved Between You, me and the honeybees SO much and the main character was so wonderful. I could relate to her in so many ways, loved the anxiety representation and she is so passionate, I loved that too.
☂️ Find the book on : Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
10. Book that made you cry
Nyx: The Ones We’re Meant To Find. Hi, we meet again. SO MANY EMOTIONS. That’s all. Go read it now!
☂️ Find the book on: Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
Marie: I could have picked the same book as Nyx here, but I went another way instead. When You Were Everything is a little gem about friendship break ups and it’s heartbreaking and hopeful and I love it so much.
☂️ Find the book on: Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
11. Book that made you happy
Nyx: Tokyo Ever After. With The Princess Diaries vibes, this one was funny, sweet and just delightful. And the romance was perfection!! Definitely a book to pick up when you need something heartwarming!
☂️ Find the book on: Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
Marie: Last Chance Books made me smile and laugh so much. I loved the characters, their little fight between rival bookshops and I don’t know, everything about it made me happy. Such a good read for contemporary fans!
☂️ Find the book on: Bookshop – Book Depository – Blackwell’s
12. Most beautiful book you’ve bought so far this year (or received)
Nyx: Descendant Of The Crane. Look at that cover!! It’s so gorgeous! LOVE it!
☂️ Find the book on: Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
Marie: Another Joan He fan, but I can’t resist. The Ones We’re Meant To Find looks too stunning for words. It’s also as beautiful inside as outside.
☂️ Find the book on: Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
13.What books do you need to read by the end of the year?
Nyx:
- After I Do : Taylor Jenkins Reid? YES PLEASE !
- Normal People : Heard great stuff about this one, really want to give it a try!
- What’s Not To Love : My sister is making me!! No, no I’m kidding (kind of…)! Enemies-to-lovers? Count me in!
Marie:
- Iron Heart: You all know how much I adore Crier’s War and I can’t wait to get the paperback copy of the sequel. I’m screaming.
- Honey Girl: Everyone is so very much in love with this book and, the ones that are, I trust them. Also this sounds brilliant.
- The Sound of Stars: That one has been on my TBR for a while and I love that cover and I really really really want to read it. So hopefully I will soon!!
For more book recommendations, you might also be interested in:
- 10 Awesome YA Books About Road Trips To Feed Your Wanderlust
- 10 of my Favorite Romances in YA Books
- 28 of my most anticipated ya books for 2021
📌 Pin Best Books of 2021 So Far on Pinterest!
What are some of your favorite books of the year so far? Let us know everything in comments!
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Seeing all the love for The Ones We’re Meant to Find makes me so happy!! Such a brilliant book.
Same here! This book is just 😍😍😍
Totally agree with you on The Ones We’re Meant to Find! It is absolutely amazing!
Yeeees 😍😍😍
I felt the same way about I Think I Love You! I DNF’d it right at the end because I realized I was hate reading it and didn’t care about any of the characters because they were all awful. It’s also made me realize that I think I may be ageing out of YA contemporary because I just cannot relate to the kind of petty mind games that teenagers put each other through.
I really need to read The Ones We’re Meant to Find! It sounds amazing, and that cover is just stunning.
Yes, yes, yes! Totally agree with you! Glad to see I’m not the only one who felt that way.
YEEES, you definitely do! You’re going to love it 😁
Crier’s War is amazing, I’m so glad you enjoyed it! And Iron Heart is even better! I was also a little disappointed by I Think I Love You, the characters were so unkind to each other which made the romance a bit unbelievable for me. I’m excited to read Ace of Spades and XOXO soon 😀 Great post!
Yeees, it was SO good 😍 Oh, can’t wait to get my hands on it!
Glad to see I’m not the only one who felt that way!
Me toooo 🤗🤗
Thank you so much! And thanks for stopping by 😘😘
The Ones We’re Meant to Find is the best book I’ve read this year hands down…
Glad you agree with us 😁😁
I enjoyed last book of Grisha trilogy, The Berlin Zookeeper and The Inn at Tansy Falls in first half of the year. I have Like a Love Son on TBR.
Awesome!! Happy reading 😘😘
Every post I read from you guys I end up with so many more books on my tbr!! Loved reading this post. Nina is also definitely one of my new fave characters too – Malibu Rising was so incredible!!
Haha, so sorry about that (or not) 🙈🙈
Yaaay! Totally incredible 😍
Nina really was a great character. I’m glad that book got at least an honorable mention. 🙂
Yes, I absolutely loved her! The whole book was amazing 😍😍
Fantastic post. I love how you broke down all the books you liked and why you liked them. This helps make sense of all the books that are out there. Well done!
Thank you, we’re so happy you enjoyed it 😊
oh i need to read xoxo!!! i will be near a barnes and noble this weekend so i am hoping to get a copy. i’ve also heard great things abt the lady or the lion and yes i loved towmtf as well!! i just got an e arc of when night breaks and i think it’ll be even better than the first, i am hoping for a copy of ove early but it’s definitely a book that ALOT of people want, so i’m not too sure but i am still getting the fairyloot edition, so that’s fun!
I hope you’ll love xoxo, it’s such a good read! 😀
I really want to read The Ones We’re Meant to Find, I’ve heard so many positive reviews of it! Ace of Spades is also high on my TBR. Great post!
Yaaay, you’re going to LOVE it 😁😁
Me too! Haven’t read it yet and since my sister loved it so much I’m even more excited 🤗🤗
Thank you so much! 😘
I’m excited for A Lesson In Vengeance too! I can’t resist witches and boarding schools. I hope you both read tons of good books in the second half of 2021!
Thank you so, so much!! 😀
Great picks! I didn’t love The One We’re Meant to Find as much as you all but it was certainly unique! I’m excited go read Ace of Spades!
Unique is the right word!
Me too, I can’t wait 😁😁
I loved reading your answers!! ❤ I’m also very excited for Like a Love Song and A Lesson in Vengeance, I hope they are going to be good! I’m very excited for Between You, Me and the Honeybees and Ace of Shades, so I’m happy to see that you both liked them 😊 I have Last Chance Books checked out from my library and hope to read it soon 🥰
Thank you so so much ☺️☺️
Fingers crossed we won’t be disappointed! 😊
Yaay, hope you’ll like them 😁
loved reading this! Very happy to see The Ones We’re Meant to Find on here, can’t wait to pick it up! Also cannot wait for A Lesson of Vengeance!
Thank you so much! I can’t wait to read it either, it sounds really good! 😀
so obviously all of these books are already on my TBR list, but for the one book mentioned by Nyx Flatshare that I actually read. I know some people weren’t a huge fan of the book, but I completely agree with her opinion on the fact that the book felt really real and realistic! Great post you guys xx
Melina | http://www.melinaelisa.com
Yaaay, glad to see you also enjoyed it 😊
Thank you so much! 😘😘
i’m so happy you (both) enjoyed the ones we’re meant to find!! <3 and ace of spades was truly amazing — i can't wait to see what other books faridah writes because i know they're going to be just as phenomenal. and i hope you love honey girl and iron heart! i was unfortunately disappointed by them but hoping that that's not your experience 😭💕
Thank you so, so much May! <3 I'm sorry you didn't love those books, I hope I will like them better! 😭
AAHH Marie!! You’re so not ready for the masterpiece that is A Lesson In Vengeance! It’s so well-written and unique and vibey; I loved every second of it! Hope you’ll love it, too! Great post! (I may have put some books on my TBR…again…)
I’m so, SO curious to read it… and a little scared as well ahahah. Thank you so much!! <3
Nice list and I am now intrigued by The Ones We’re Meant To Find. I’ve only read Flat Share and Malibu Rising both of which were great. Normal People was not for me.
Ah I hope you’ll give The Ones We’re Meant to Find a try, it’s such an incredible read <3
You guys have convinced me that I need to read The Ones We’re Meant to Find!
AH YES! I hope you will, Nicole, I can’t wait to hear what you think of it 😀