Can you believe 2021 is almost over? I certainly can’t.
We’re excited to share our 2021 year in books today for you all again. It’s become a bit of a tradition on the blog in these past few years: we’re taking this time, my wonderful co-blogger and sister Nyx and I, to share some of our reading highlights, the books we fell for and the ones we can’t quite forget.
Fair warning: we both have A LOT of favorites in common, so… for the sake of variety, I tried (Me, Marie, since Nyx filled this out first) to choose different books. She always stole my answers! Okay, I can’t really be mad knowing I’m the one that made her read all those books in the first place…
You can check out our 2020 reading highlights if you’d like to! Let’s get to this.
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Our reading year overall
Marie: It’s been an okay reading year overall. Not going to lie: I was aiming to read 60 books with my goodreads challenge, and only managed to get to 51 books, so… I’m sad. Still: I found SO many new favorite reads and authors, so that’s still a win!
Nyx: I’ve read a bit less this year, but I’m not sorry at all, because I’ve never rated SO many books 5 stars! So yeah, it’s been a pretty good reading year.
A quick look at our 2021 year in books
Favorite protagonist
Nyx: Josie from Between You, Me, and the Honeybees. I found her so relatable with her anxiety and worries. I loved her passion and her strong desire to follow her dreams, it really shined through!
☂️ Buy on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
Marie: First answer stolen by Nyx, friends! I want to mention the incredibly amazing Chiamaka. She’s fierce and determined and wants to be the best, she reminded me of Blair Waldorf at times and is the kind of powerful, unforgettable character I love.
☂️ Buy on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
A book that fell flat
Nyx: Ugh, I hate this question. Maybe I’ll go with Like Home. Unfortunately, this book fell a bit flat and I had a hard time connecting with the characters.
☂️ Buy on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
Marie: I’ll go with The Marvelous. This book had so much potential: a rich heiress, a competition in a gigantic house…Yet, I ended up feeling confused a lot of the time and didn’t manage to get into the story. Too bad.
☂️ Buy on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
A book that surprised you
Nyx: Not Here to Be Liked. I knew I would enjoy this, I was surprised by how much I did (I rated it 5 stars!!). It’s about friendships, stereotypes, a rivalry romance that makes your heart melt, and focus on important topics, mainly misogyny, sexism, and the patriarchal society. It’s definitely the feminist YA contemporary of the year!
☂️ Buy on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
Marie: Oh Not Here To Be Liked was EXCELLENT. I’d like to mention Destination Anywhere, an underrated YA contemporary about a bullied girl dropping everything to fly across the world, alone. This is the kind of book taking you on unforgettable adventures and with such warm friendships, it’s wonderful and I loved it!
☂️ Buy on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
A book that rocked your world
Nyx: The Ones We’re Meant To Find. No freaking doubt about it. It’s the most twisty, surprising and engaging page-turner book I’ve read this year. Just mind-blowing, go read it now!
☂️ Buy on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
Marie: I honestly can’t, The Ones We’re Meant To Find was TOO GOOD. I want to mention Crier’s War, a book that has been fairly hyped in the past years. I get it, I really do. I was obsessed with the world, the characters, I screamed and cried and this is truly an excellent fantasy I recommend to everyone.
☂️ Buy on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
Favorite book cover art
Nyx: When You Were Everything. The most simple cover and yet so pretty and representative of friendship heartbreak. An emotional story you absolutely need to add to your TBR!
☂️ Buy on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
Marie: Looking at my past year in books, I can’t not mention this cover. It’s one of my favorites of all times and the book inside is just as incredible. 200% recommending this, inside and out. READ IT.
☂️ Buy on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
A take-my-money
Nyx: Malibu Rising. I’m a HUGE fan of Taylor Jenkins Reid and I love everything she writes, Malibu Rising was no exception. She instantly draws you in with her writing and her three-dimensional characters. She’s my forever queen!
☂️ Buy on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
Marie: Last year, I remember writing that Austin & Emily’s books were my brand. I haven’t changed, have I. I’m cheating because this is a 2022 release but, hell, I can’t NOT mention it. Their first venture into adult romance is an incredible success and I’m obsessed.
☂️ Buy on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
A sequel that overshadows the first book
Nyx: Iron Heart. I LOVED Crier’s War. It was perfection and you know what? So was Iron Heart. Beautiful writing, slow-burn romance, riveting characters arcs, it’s got it all! I was hooked from page one, hats off to Nina!!
Marie : nothing to add here!
☂️ Buy on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
Most disappointing book
Nyx: Normal People. I don’t know what I did wrong because everyone seems to love this one… I couldn’t relate to the characters and I felt like their difficulties were a bit “romantized”. I guess this book just didn’t fit me.
☂️ Buy on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
Marie: I expected so much more from Siri, Who Am I? : the main character losing memories after an accident, trying to figure out her life thanks to clues on her own instagram account? This sounded excellent, but it was a disappointment.
☂️ Buy on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
Favorite ship
Nyx: Quinn and Tarek from We Can’t Keep Meeting Like This. A wedding harpist disillusioned with love and a hopeless romantic cater-waiter, yes, yes, yes! This “friends to lovers” romance is honest and I loved it. They care deeply for each other and constantly look out for each other. Plus, we see a lot of healthy communication. Go check this one out!
☂️ Buy on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
Marie: I didn’t expect to be so shook by this book. A Cuban Girl’s Guide is a YA contemporary and it shattered my hear into a million pieces, it’s so good. I loved the cooking, the family relationships, the England setting and the romance was such a wonderful highlight. It’s soft and slow-burning and ugh I just loved them okay.
☂️ Buy on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
Our favorite reads of 2021
Marie: Overall, I feel like it’s been a pretty good year, reading-wise. I was going to try and pick different books than Nyx did, but what can I do, she mentioned my favorites too, aerm.
ACE OF SPADES: A truly earth-shattering YA thriller that I just couldn’t stop reading. One of my favorite reads of all times, really.
☂️ Buy on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
BETWEEN YOU, ME AND THE HONEYBEES: The kind of soft YA contemporary I never knew I needed, with amazing anxiety representation, romance and family relationships. I adore this book.
☂️ Buy on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
THE ONES WE’RE MEANT TO FIND: I can’t not mention this book, it broke me into a million pieces. Also I read this in January 2021 and I still think about it constantly. So… that has to mean something, right?
☂️ Buy on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
Nyx: I rated A LOT of books 5 stars this year! So many favorites! Here’s my top 3:
THE ONES WE’RE MEANT TO FIND : It’s a gut-wrenching unpredictable book and I was hooked from the very first page. It’s about the bond between sisters, and the love for humanity. It tackles important topics like climate change and technology. Fascinating and engrossing, bittersweet and tragic, this one totally deserves first place!
☂️ Buy on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
MALIBU RISING : This is the story about one unforgettable night in the life of a family. It’s about love, family and the things we sacrifice for the ones we love. Malibu Rising has amazing core characters! The depth of the characters, their motivations and their voices, just wow! Highy recommend!
☂️ Buy on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
CRIER’S WAR : Set in a richly-imagined fantasy world, Crier’s War is a romantic tale of love, loss and revenge, that challenges what it really means to be human. I devoured this book! The world-building, the characters, the writing, I loved it all! What are you still doing here?! Go read it now!
☂️ Buy on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
Most anticipated book for 2022
Marie: It’s really hard to pick just three, I feel like there are so many books I can’t wait to read releasing in 2022…You should know I have, like, 72 of them on my goodreads TBR. Oops. Here are 3 of them I’m really really excited for!
SOME MISTAKES WERE MADE: Childhood friendship, messed-up emotions, Some Mistakes Were Made is the kind of contemporary that will ruin me and I am here for it.
☂️ Buy on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
WITH AND WITHOUT YOU: My favorite author duo writing another YA contemporary, about a long-distance relationship? Let me cry for a moment, will you???
☂️ Buy on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
EXACTLY WHERE YOU NEED TO BE: I love Amelia Diane Coombs’ work and this one sounds incredible. A road trip adventure with a best friend and a forever crush and OCD rep? I’m here for this.
☂️ Buy on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
Nyx: I’m excited about so many books, it’s really hard to choose! Well, I tried…here’s my top 3:
WEATHER GIRL : I’m a fan of Rachel Lynn Solomon, I adore all of her books and I’m really excited about this one! It’s about a TV meteorologist and a sports reporter scheming to reunite their divorced bosses. This adult romantic comedy sounds beyond charming!
☂️ Buy on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
FAMILY OF LIARS : I loved We Were Liars so I’m really looking forward to this prequel! I hope it’ll be as thrilling and intense as the first one was. I have such high expectations about this!
☂️ Buy on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
THE ROUGHEST DRAFT : “They were cowriting literary darlings until they hit a plot hole that turned their lives upside down”. That blurb alone has me hooked! I’m praying for a chemistry through the roof here!
☂️ Buy on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
Want more recommendations? Check out our 2022 most anticipated YA books list!
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What are some of the best books you’ve read this year? Please give us ALL the recommendations!
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Okay, this is mostly directed at Nyx, sorry! haha
First, I hated reading Normal People? I really struggled and didn’t love the style of writing or the substance, but I also could not stop thinking about it. Paired with me watching the show, I got more and more obsessed with it and now I have a love-hate-relationship with it. I do love it. But I also do not at all?
As for Weather Girl, I AM READING IT RIGHT NOW!!! I love it – it’s like a book version of Set It Up, which is one of the best romcoms on Netflix.
Hehe 😏
Oh my…thank god!! I’m not alone!!
Aaaaah I’m so excited about this one! You’re making me even more excited now 😍😍 (and totally agree about Set it Up, ugh I want to re watch it now 😁)
Thanks for stopping by and happy new year! 💫
Happy New Year to you (both) as well!! <3
💖💖💖
Ace of Spades was my number one for the year. I also had Malibu Rising on my top ten.
AH yay! Ace of Spades is SO GOOD I adore it.
I love seeing it on a lot of favorites lists.
TJR can take my money, too! Such a great read. All of hers are.
Yeeeees 😍😍
Glad to see I’m not the only one totally in love with her 😁😁
Thanks for stopping by and happy new year! 💫
So many good books in this list! I fully agree with Malibu rising. I read the audiobook just a few days back and absolutely loved it.
Thanks! 😊
Yaaaay, so so good! 😍😍
Thanks for stopping by and happy new year! 😘
Great list! I still need to read like Home. Thank you for reminding.
Thanks! 😊
You’re welcome 😉
Thank you so much for stopping by, happy new year! 😘😘
Glad you both found so many favourites this year!! I agree Chiamaka in Ace of Spades was an amazing main character. I would happily read another book with her as the MC !!
I loved reading your thoughts about Not Here To Be Liked, it sounds like a book I would really enjoy actually!! *adds to TBR*
Yeah, I am still not over the beauty of the cover for The Ones We’re Meant To Find!!!
Wishing you both wonderful years for 2022, reading and life-wise!! 🥰🥰
Ace of Spades was FANTASTIC and yes, I’d read a thousand books with Chiamaka as a main character, I adore her! I hope you’ll try Not Here to Be Liked, it is such a great read.
thank you so, so much Sophie, wishing you the very best for this new year!! <3
I really need to read Between You, Me in the Honeybees, I have a feeling that I’ll love it, as it sounds right up my alley 🥰 I was thinking about reading The Marvelous, but I’m not so sure now. I loved If It Makes You Happy by Claire Kann, but Let’s Talk About Love wasn’t as good 🥺 I also really want to read Destination Anywhere, Crier’s War, When You Were Everything and We Can’t Keep Meeting Like This 😊
YES you do! It’s an incredible book. I still want to read Claire Kann’s other books, but I was a bit confused by The Marvelous overall. The premise was great, but the execution felt a bit too messy for me!
Thank you so much, Caro!
i’m so glad you both were able to enjoy a lot of books this year!! and i feel you marie… i wanted to read so many more books but unfortunately didn’t quite make it 😭 but chiamaka was definitely a wonderful protagonist, i loved how driven and determined she was! and i’m so happy to see you both enjoying the crier’s war duology, especially you marie since i know fnatasy isn’t what you usually reach for! <3 hope you both have a wonderful reading year in 2022 <3
So many books and so little time, it’s so frustrating sometimes! 😭 Fantasy isn’t my forte, but I’m SO glad I picked up Crier’s War. Honestly I’ll be looking for more fantasy recs this year I think!
Thank you so much, I hope you will have an amazing reading year as well <3
I haven’t read most of these books, though I did love both We Can’t Keep Meeting Like This and A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow, and think that they’re both worthy selections for favorite ship (I slightly preferred the latter, but truly did adore them both).
Ahh I so agree with you on that, both these books and the couples were fantastic! <3
Like Home fell a bit flat for me. I didn’t hate it, but I feel like it could have been better had it been told from multiple POVs. So glad to see Destination Anywhere up there. Barnard’s books are so great and deserve more love. My experience with Normal People was odd. It was a train wreck I could not look away from.
Yes that’s exactly how I feel! 😕
Oh my god yes! 😍
Haha, EXACTLY!
Thank you so much for stopping by 😘😘
I am so happy that 2021 is behind us and am holding onto positive energy for 2022 – Happy New Year!
YOU FINALLY READ CRIER’S WAR YAAAASSS!!!
Thank you so, SO much Kal, a very happy new year to you too! <3 I am OBSESSED with Crier's War, such an incredible read!!
as someone who DNFed the marvelous, i agree that it was a bit too confusing for me. it had a great premise, but i think we’re thrown into the story without enough background to really grasp why this is so important for all the characters participating in the challenge.
i am hoping to read we can’t keep meeting like this and a cuban girl’s guide really soon and i hope to find at least one new couple to swoon over in one of these books! it’s been a while since i fell head over heels for a YA contemporary couple, and i hope it happens with these ones!
amazing post, girls! here’s to a year of many more great reads!
I’m so glad I’m not the only one feeling this way! The premise sounded great, but I felt so confused most of the time while reading. I’m still sad about it!
I hope you’ll LOVE both of these YA contemporary reads, Lais! And thank you so, so much for your kindness always <3
I already have The Ones We’re Meant to Find on my Hoopla Favorites list (pretty sure I saw it here first). Now I’ve added a few more books as well!
Ah yay! I truly adore The Ones We’re Meant To Find <3
hi ! im new to your blog but i just wanted to say that i just finished reading ace of spades (my first book of 2022, yaya) and i absolutely adored it. Chiamaka is such a strong character and most definitely a leader ; she somehow found a way to carry the book, i dont know, its hard to explain, but if you know, you know 😉 ; gave me major gossip girl vibes….
AH YAY! I’m so, so happy to hear that. Chiamaka was such a incredible main character, I adore her!
yess! me too :)))
I am happy to see that you both had such a good reading year having so many five stars and finding so many favorite books and authors! That’s always exciting and definitely a win! <3 I hope this new year is just as great! 🙂
Ahh thank you so much! I hope you’ll have a fantastic reading year as well 🙂