My Top Reads | 2021

Written By Igho Eferere

This is an end-of-year list that should’ve been tallied in 2021, but here we are 😄. I was in a long get-my-shit-togetherphase in December, and had to consciously maintain a slow pace. But I had it on my to-do and I’m so excited to share the books that I read in 2021 (and fondly remember).

In 2021, I got back to reading for fun. I got so “busy” and “serious” over the past couple years that I kinda stopped reading. I was so focused on “improving” my self and started reading only personal development books, and it totally drained my love for reading as an art form - you know.

I’ve learned a lot, so the years weren’t a bust...lol. I just believe I would’ve struggled less if I’d been more compassionate with myself and not tried so hard to fix whatever I assumed was “broken.”

I’m just thankful that I got here. My guides pulled my head out of my ass last year and I started finding my way back to me and what I love, and I started to love reading again.

So, here are the books that made 2021 a fun reading year.

Early Winter Reads

I started the year with a good romance – Finding Joy by Adriana Herrera (my review is here). This was such a sweet book, and it – and the characters – stuck with me till the end of the year; till now even.

Between January and February, I read 3 more:

In March, a friend bought me two volumes of Ordinary Gods and the first three volumes of Jupiter’s legacy - on iBooks. I also started listening to Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman on audible, which was a new and amazing form of immersive entertainment for me.

So, that put me back in the mood for comics and fantasy again. As soon as I “finished” Jupiter’s Legacy by mid-spring, I picked up Neil Gaiman’s Stardust and Snow, Glass, Apples.

Then I took a break to catch up on the shows from Marvel’s Phase 4, and somewhere between Wandavision and Loki, my book break over-extended into spring 😄.

A Little Drama & Romance in Summer

I travelled a lot in the summer, so the fact that I read even 5 books is a testament to just how good these books were. It was a sweet and very romance-filled summer - fictionally, I mean 😉.

Romance in Autumn

The first book I read in fall was Christina Lauren’s Love and other words, and OMG what an amazing way to start the season. It wrapped me whole and melted my cold, cold heart into an ooey-gooey mess of love and friendship. It was divine! Read full review here:

To be honest, the other books I read after LAOD were great, but it was such a tough follow up, I don’t think they got a fair shake...lol.

A Slow Christmas

With Christmas I like to keep it light, simple and sweet. I’m an easy weeper, so I try to keep the tear-jerkers to a minimum. I did put out a proper review of the Christmas books I read in 2021 here, so give that a read if you’re interested.

Repeat Offenders

I’m not a huge re-reader, but on some weekends, I like to pull out a sure thing; a book that I know will be quick and predictable because I already know how the story ends.

There were a few last year, but the two I remember are:

  • Stay with me by Ayobami Adebayo. This was one of my first book reviews as a blogger - in 2018.

  • Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. When all else fails, I can always count on Ms. Austen’s Elizabeth and Darcy to entertain. Although, if we’re talking repeats, nothing compares to how much I’ve re-watched the 2005 Pride & Prejudice movie. Honestly, it’s becoming an issue. Help!

  • Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen. I’m an Austen-girl through and through, and I personally think this is one of her most underrated work because of it’s subtle complexities. It may not be as famous or as beloved as Sense & Sensibility, Pride & Prejudice, or Emma; all of which have earned their rightful place, but it is amazing!

Personal Development

...or as I love to categorize them: Self-discovery books.

I read the books on this list over the course of the year, and will most likely always go back to them (or some highlights/pages).

The 20s are kind of hard, and most of us tend to get/feel lost or misunderstood by even ourselves. We’re all trying to not be distracted and to be as authentic as possible in a world that works hard at trying to make you believe that you need to be someone else to “survive.”

Being vulnerable enough to let yourself try or fail in public is not easy and a sense of purpose is sometimes elusive.

😄 There’s a lot going on - outside and within - and one way or another, these books helped me figure it out. Or at least, taught me to sit still long enough to hear what I need to.

Hope they do the same for you!


Last-minute Contenders

Some of my favorites are usually the ones that make it onto the list at the very last minute. These are the books that you picked up on a whim or after reading/watching some rave review of it and you were instantly sold. I had about 4 of these but these are the two that stuck and were worth it. So worth it!

This is the end. That’s all I’ve got for now. I’m already having fun with my picks of 2022 so far, and I hope we’ll get to catch up like this again by the end of 2022. This time, I’m keeping detailed records of how the books are going, so stay tuned!

Have you read any of these? What are you currently reading? Let me know in the comments and I look forward to meeting you in the new year!

Please stay safe.

xo,

Igho <3

Igho Eferere
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What I read | Christmas Edition ‘21