I cannot believe it’s nearly the end of the year and it’s time to pick my 10 favourite reads of 2021! I read some great books this year and it’s always hard to narrow it down, but here are my 10 best reads.
Top 10 Tuesday was originally created by The Broke and the Bookish, but has now moved to That Artsy Reader Girl. If you’re interested in taking part click here.
Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir – This is hands down my favourite book of the year. It was so imaginative and unique, and I was totally hooked on the mysterious story. The audiobook narration was brilliant as well and brought all the characters to life so vividly.
Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor – I can’t get enough of Laini Taylor’s writing. It’s so lyrical and emotive, I get drawn into every book of hers I read, and Days of Blood and Starlight was no exception.
The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon – I finally tackled this chonky book this year and I’m so glad I did because I loved it. The worldbuilding is incredibly detailed and although it is very long, it didn’t feel slow, and I found myself propelled through the pages.
Gut Feelings by C. G. Moore – This book is important to me for personal reasons. It’s a novel in verse based on the author’s experiences of Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). Although I don’t have FAP, there is some overlap in symptoms and treatments for Crohn’s Disease and, similarly to the narrator, I was diagnosed as chronically ill at a young age. I found myself feeling emotional while reading this book as there were many sections which I could really relate to.
The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta – I read this novel in verse in audiobook format and found it a really emotive, informative and engaging listen. It’s narrated by the author and I really enjoyed hearing the rhythms of the verse.
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie – This is the best Agatha Christie book I’ve read so far. It was dramatic, suspenseful, dark and full of mystery. I had no idea how it would end!
Crownchasers by Rebecca Coffindaffer – I loved this YA sci-fi and really want to see more like this in YA! I’ve always enjoyed sci-fi and this book was fun, fast-paced and thrilling.
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott – This was a surprising read for me as I sometimes find classics can be a bit slow and hard to get through, but this one was relatively easy to read and very enjoyable.
The Bone Houses by Emily Lloyd-Jones – Both dark and funny, this book was a great read. I loved the setting and the atmosphere, as well as the characters and the story. I wish more people talked about it because it really is a fantastic read!
A Dark and Hollow Star by Ashley Shuttleworth – I found this book very slow to start but once it got going, I was hooked. The worldbuilding was detailed and immersive, and I loved the characters, especially Nausicaä!
Honourable mentions to A Darker Shade of Magic by V. E. Schwab, Lore by Alexandra Bracken, and Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson.
What were the best books you read this year? Chat with me in the comments or drop a link to your own Top 10 Tuesday post!
The Last Book On The Left 
I’ve been startled to find that almost every classic I’ve read has been a fantastic read, though some are more daunting than others.
Yes I do enjoy classics! Some of the chunkier ones are a bit daunting and can be slow sometimes but I have enjoyed many classics.
And Then There Were None is a fantastic read! Probably one of my favorite Agatha Christie books.
Pam @ Read! Bake! Create!
https://readbakecreate.com/the-10-best-books-i-read-in-2021/
It’s brilliant, my favourite of the ones I have read so far!
Good to know A Dark and Hollow Star is good. I got it in Illumicrate knowing nothing about it, so wasn’t sure if I’d read it. I love Laini Taylor, I hope she’s working on something new!
I read an ARC and really enjoyed it! It’s a little slow to get going but I found it a good read once I got into it. I still have two more Laini Taylor books to read before I’m caught up with her current releases, I hope she releases more books because I’ve loved all the ones I’ve read so far.
These books have fantastic covers. I keep hearing how great Laini Taylor is and haven’t read her yet. I actually found Little Women a slow read, but I’m glad you enjoyed it!
The covers are gorgeous! I would recommend Laini Taylor’s books, I’ve loved all of hers that I have read so far.
And then there were none is in my top ten too! Did you read it as a stand alone, or are you trying to read all of Agatha Christie?
I have read several Agatha Christie books though I haven’t been reading them in a particular order. I’d like to read lots more as I’ve enjoyed all the ones I have read so far.
I’ve had Gideon on my TBR pile for a while now. I need to make a resolution to read it.
I spontaneously decided to read it when I saw all the positive audiobook reviews and am really glad I did because it’s so good!
I swear Laini Taylor gets the best book covers! <3 This is a great list, and thanks for the recs :)
She does get some stunning covers for her books! I especially love the new anniversary covers for the Daughter of Smoke and Bone series.
I’ll have to check those out!
Awesome titles. Thanks for sharing your post!
Thank you! I read some great books this year.
Love seeing your faves! Little Women is so good!
I wasn’t sure I would enjoy Little Women but I ended up loving it so am really glad I did.
I enjoyed Priory back when I read it in 2019, though it was a little long and slow for me! Days of Blood and Starlight, I really didn’t like, but I’m glad you did!
My TTT: https://jjbookblog.wordpress.com/2021/12/28/top-ten-tuesday-348/
I think the author is working on another book set in the Priory world so I’m looking forward to that. Ah that’s a shame you didn’t like Days of Blood and Starlight. I didn’t love it as much as the first book but still enjoyed it a lot.
Yes me too! Yeah it just wasn’t for me, but I’m glad you liked it.
Awww, Little Women is a lifelong favorite for me. I’m glad you not only got to it, but loved it.
I am very glad I read it because it was a great book!
I need to get around to reading The Bone Houses. I’ve had it on my Kindle forever.
I definitely recommend it, it’s a great book!
This is a great range of fantasy! For my part, I’m so thrilled to see people still enjoying Laini Taylor’s Daughter of Smoke and Bone series––it is a lifelong favorite and Taylor’s writing is an absolute treasure!
I was a bit late to the Daughter of Smoke and Bone party and am so glad I discovered it! I adore Laini Taylor’s writing and can’t wait to see what other books she releases as well.
I love your picks!! I’ve wanted to read days of blood and starlight for ages (now I’ll have to haha) and gideon the ninth is SO GOOOOD. Have a good new year! Here’s my top 21 books of 2021 :) https://hundredsandthousandsofbooks.blog/2021/12/28/ttt-28-12-21-top-21-books-from-2021/
I absolutely loved And Then There Were None.
It’s fantastic, so good from start to finish!