That Bookish Girl’s Favorite Reads of 2021

Happy End of the year or will I say Happy New Years Eve? Both will do .

I will say this year has been a very tough reading year and I don’t know why this happened, but I’m grateful and very surprised it did anyways because I got to learn so much more.

This year , my reading goal initially was to read thirty (30) books and I had already set the goal on my goodreads account . It’s been tough reviewing books because I’ll say there’s little to no time considering I’m in my final year but I made sure to update my GOODREADS

I discovered more genre of books and Every book literally counts. It doesn’t matter the format : Every read is valid . I have read One hundred and eight (108) books this year and the progress is insane , the gap is huge. I’m really thankful and the truth is , I didn’t really expect to explore more genres and read this much considering how busy this year was for me but here we are .

I had so many reading slumps this year and to be honest , I’m still in a reading slump but with time , i will definitely overcome it .

I have top TEN (10) picks for the year and who will I be if I don’t share them with you ?

This is my goodreads link again HERE incase you’d love to follow me and read my reviews there. I’m active and I love to have conversations.

I’ll start with a bonus and it’s actually my first read this year. It took me by surprise and blew me away.

I have the full review on GOODREADS

It’s a beautiful book and really changed my perception on things and I think everyone should read this.

10. THE DARKEST TEMPTATION BY DANIELLE LORI

I actually adore this book and did not think I’d have liked it the way I do now. It’s a dark romance 18+ book with a lot of trigger warnings so please be very cautious. I just love that it’s raw and very natural. It doesn’t force any trope on us but just relishes love and so much romance oozes from it . It’s one of my favorite tropes ; Grumpy x sunshine trope and it’s beautiful. READ MY REVIEW AND SEE MY RATING

9. LORE OLYMPUS (VOLUME ONE) BY RACHEL SMYTHE

This book is a graphic novel and it tells the story of Persephone and Hades. I really enjoyed this book and I find it really cute and addicting. I remember staying up to finish it and it’s amazing . There’s so much to unpack and I love that it’s very chaotic to say the least. I can’t wait for the next volume.

8. MALIBU RISING BY TAYLOR JENKINS REID

I can’t explain my love for this book . The author really has me on chokehold because the books are so good. This read is truly refreshing because it makes you reminisce past and present simultaneously and you feel pain and sorrow , regrets and betrayal and at the same time you feel pure love . The characters will make the plot of the book whole and I will always recommend this book. READ MY REVIEW

7. IRON WIDOW BY XIRAN JAY XHAO

This book is incredible and I’m not exaggerating. The writing style is exquisite. It takes you on a beautiful journey and your imagination flares up. The way it all plays out and the power behind this book is unmatched. It is a post apocalyptic Feminist fantasy book and I’m ready for book 2 to come because it’s really giving . From the fights to the friendship and stand points highlighting politics and feminism. It’s a fave recommendation. READ MY REVIEW

6. SILENT PATIENT BY ALEX MICHAELIDES

The best thriller book that I have read so far And I’d advice to tread carefully reading it because there are trigger warnings. I just loved how beautiful the storyline was and how the suspense intertwined with sanity and the characters represent so much more values than we can think of whilst reading the book. It’s really good and I recommend. READ MY REVIEW

5. ZIKORA BY CHIMAMANDA NGOZI ADICHIE

I loved everything about this short story. It was something else. I am attracted to the descriptions and the plot the way the story takes you in . I’m addicted to the storyline and how it’s written . A work of art. READ MY DETAILED REVIEW

4. NEARLY ALL THE MEN IN LAGOS ARE MAD BY DAMILARE KUKU

Firstly , I’ll start by saying this book is really funny and you can finish it in one sitting . The title of the book already gives you insight on what you need to know and the stories mirror the title and real life you’d imagine it as reality. It’s very interesting and the more you read , the better the stories get. There’s a lot of messages to decode and lessons to learn. I enjoyed it and you definitely will.

3. BUTTER HONEY PIG BREAD BY FRANCESCA EKWUYASI

This book is delicious and mouth watering. It’s something and the best book that has taken me unaware. I didn’t think I would like this book the way I do now. It’s like getting lost in a really good book , you start to hear and feel the things that have engrossed you while reading. The book is breaking and intricate enough to cut through parts with the lessons and story. It’s a lovely book and I’ll always recommend. READ MY REVIEW

2. A COURT OF MIST AND FURY BY SARAH J. MAAS

After four years , reading this book made me feel whole again . I remembered little me staying up all night trying to finish the series and this particular book held me in place . It made me feel as if I wasn’t alone with a very beautiful love story and the birth of one of my favorite book couple : FEYSAND ( FEYRE AND RHYSAND ).

The world and word building is amazing and it’s what really got me into fantasy books. The scenery and the storyline , the suspense and CHAPTER 55 *inserts cough because it’s explicit*. I love every bit of the book and it’s very heartwarming. A beautiful read.

1. WHEN VILLAINS RISE BY GIANA DARLING

How many times have I read this book? My answer is YES. This book is purely dark romance and there’s trigger warnings. It’s also 18+ so be cautious while reading. The trope in this book is literally elite. I mean NOTORIOUS MAFIA BOSS ON TRIAL FOR MURDER and SMART ICE COLD LAWYER . The forced proximity and enemies to lovers trope is top tier and that is what we have here . It’s book two of the ANTI HEROES IN LOVE DUO-LOGY. This book really speaks to me because it doesn’t change the characters, instead they evolve and it makes it even more beautiful. I’m in love with the storyline and the quotes . The trope was sent from heaven and I’m beginning to think the book was made for me. It has opened the portal to my anti hero favorite books and has come to stay on top. The way love and career intertwine and the supremacy of Elena and Dante. It’s my all time favorite🤍.

My Other book recommendation is THERE ARE NO SAINTS BY SOPHIE LARK (check for trigger warnings) , the STOPOVER by T.L SWAN , SPANISH LOVE DECEPTION BY ELENA ARMAS and WOTAKOI (LOVE IS HARD FOR OTAKU) by Fujita.

This year I read a lot of romance in general this year and it was awesome to experience it wholly. I think it’s a brilliant genre .

Reading books is a form of escapism especially when the story captivates you whole . My recommendations are all fiction so I hope you enjoy reading them.

These are my top picks for the year and I’m hoping next year will be a better reading year for me . I’d love to see recommendations and suggestions on how you got out of a reading slump.

Till next time ,

Love , THAT BOOKISH GIRL 💕,