Top 5 Reads of 2021
2021 has (I’m very happy to say) been a year filled with reading for me. It's also been filled with reading slumps, but what would books be without a reading slump, right?
Anyway, thanks to all of my (many, many, many) reading slumps, it's been a lot easier for me to figure out which books I've absolutely adored and the ones I have really not enjoyed. Anyway, this is (hopefully) going to be a post filled with plenty of recommendations for plenty of different genres!
Book One: The House in the Cerulean Sea
Genre: Fantasy
It's very easy for me to say this was one of (if not the best) books I've read this year!
Although this book falls in the fantasy genre, don't be fooled. There are no wars and swords and fighting or anything else that you would expect from a high fantasy novel, because that is not what this is at all!
The House in the Cerulean Sea is a heart-warming, adorable and funny story that honestly just made me feel so happy when I read it. If I had to use one word to describe this book, it would be this: cosy. The book gave me cosy vibes all the way through, to the point where I
actually felt at a bit of a loss when it was over.
I have to admit, it took a while for me to really get into the story, but once I did, I adored it.
The world-building was fantastic and the characters quite honestly have my heart. I seriously cannot wait to get my hands on Under The whispering Door (by the same author). Don’t be surprised if that’s my first review of the first year!
Book Two: This Is Going To Hurt: secret Diaries of a Junior Doctor
Genre: Diary
Before I comment on this one, I want to point out that even though I am a humongous fan of House M-D. and of Grey's Anatomy, I am absolutely NOT a doctor in any way, shape or form.
But I loved this book!
Adam Kay shares his experience working as a junior doctor in England when he was younger, and it's an absolutely hilarious, heart-wrenching, intriguing and educational read that I just couldn't put down for the life of me.
Kay explains everything he talks about in his diaries in a hilarious way that even makes it understandable for someone like me, who barely managed my biology GCSE. Okay, this is not the sort of book that I read in one sitting, but some of the stories actually made me laugh out loud (not very easy to do), while others brought a tear to my eye.
Trust me, when I say that this is worth the head.
Book Three: The Unhoneymooners
Genre: Romance
When I said I would be recommending a range of genres, I clearly meant it.
The Unhoneymooners is one I decided to read in the middle of a reading slump, knowing a light-hearted romance was what I needed and, as it turns out, I was absolutely spot on.
The Unhoneymooners had been recommended to me by a friend and I read it in about two days. It wasn't exactly a serious, thought-provoking novel, but hey, we can't all read heavy, hard-core literature all of the time.
The characters were adorable, the setting made me jealous, and the plot was predictable in the best of ways.
If you fancy a light-hearted but captivating read, absolutely give this one a shot!
18 + only for this one please!
Book Four: The seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
Genere: Historical fiction
I actually had to google the genre for this book, because there are so many different genres this could come under, i. e. romance, contemporary, adult fiction. To be honest, I didn't expect the answer to be "historical. It definitely doesn't read like I imagine a historical fiction would, so please don't let that put you off.
The seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is a book that, since I first finished reading, I haven't stopped recommending.
It was spectacular, and I cried when it was over because I didn't want it to be over.
The writing style for this book was genius, and it took me a few days to get over it when it work over.
I don't really think there's much more I can say about this book without giving something away, so please just trust me on this one and give it a head!
Book Five: This Poison Heart
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Finally, I will end with the genre that sparked my passion for reading all those years ago - YA.
Whoever it was that said adults can't read YA or children's fiction was totally wrong. Okay, yes, I’m only 21 years old, but I hope to be reading these magical stories and genres until I'm an old lady.
Anyway, This Poison Heart was a brilliant start to a series I just can't wait for! Believe me when I say I will have my hands on the rest of this series as soon as it comes out.
The main character, Briseis, was intuitive, brave and funny. When she moves into
a huge old building, that has been left to her, with her parents, she manages to discover some things about herself, as well as the house. Or, more specifically, its gardens.
This was such an enjoyable read that it broke (yet another) reading slump and I read it in one afternoon.
So, there we have my top five for the year.
It was difficult to choose to be honest, and I decided not too include any classics I otherwise sense and sensibility would also have been on this list, (if for nothing else than my undying love for Colonel Brandon).
If you have heard any of these, please do leave me a comment to let me know your thoughts - I would love to read them! And if you plan on reading any, please do let me know.
Maya xx