Our Favorite 2021 Reads

2021 is coming to a close and the two of us wanted to share our favorite reads of the year.

You've probably seen these books on our Instagram account, but we wanted to talk more about the reasons why we enjoyed them so much!

Andrea's Favorite Reads

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

Between life and death there is a library, and within that library, the shelves go on forever. Every book provides a chance to try another life you could have lived. To see how things would be if you had made other choices . . . Would you have done anything different, if you had the chance to undo your regrets?

Andrea says:

I read this book early in 2021 and it immediately immersed me in Nora's story as she gets to try different lives and answer the what ifs. I constantly think of what ifs, so it was fun to read a book that explored that.

Purchase the book here!

My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite

When Korede's dinner is interrupted one night by a distress call from her sister, Ayoola, she knows what's expected of her: bleach, rubber gloves, nerves of steel and a strong stomach. This'll be the third boyfriend Ayoola's dispatched in, quote, self-defence and the third mess that her lethal little sibling has left Korede to clear away. She should probably go to the police for the good of the menfolk of Nigeria, but she loves her sister and, as they say, family always comes first. Until, that is, Ayoola starts dating the doctor where Korede works as a nurse. Korede's long been in love with him, and isn't prepared to see him wind up with a knife in his back: but to save one would mean sacrificing the other...

Andrea says:

I was not expecting to like this book so much, as it is not what I would typically read, but I ended up loving it. You love and hate the main characters, and you can't help but keep turning the pages to find out what happens next. Set in Nigeria, it was refreshing to read a book from a place I am not as familiar with.

Purchase the book here!

Nadia's Favorite Reads

The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune

Linus Baker leads a quiet, solitary life. At forty, he lives in a tiny house with a devious cat and his old records. As a Case Worker at the Department in Charge Of Magical Youth, he spends his days overseeing the well-being of children in government-sanctioned orphanages.

When Linus is unexpectedly summoned by Extremely Upper Management he's given a curious and highly classified assignment: travel to Marsyas Island Orphanage, where six dangerous children reside: a gnome, a sprite, a wyvern, an unidentifiable green blob, a were-Pomeranian, and the Antichrist. Linus must set aside his fears and determine whether or not they’re likely to bring about the end of days.

Nadia says:

What I liked the most about this novel is how endearing the children were. You can’t help but fall in love with all of them. It was a novel about diversity and acceptance. It was such a lovely story with a happy ending that made my heart swell.

Purchase the book here!

We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal

Zafira is the Hunter, disguising herself as a man when she braves the cursed forest of the Arz to feed her people. Nasir is the Prince of Death, assassinating those foolish enough to defy his autocratic father, the sultan. If Zafira was exposed as a girl, all of her achievements would be rejected; if Nasir displayed his compassion, his father would punish him in the most brutal of ways. Both Zafira and Nasir are legends in the kingdom of Arawiya--but neither wants to be.

Nadia says:

This book was really entertaining to read. It had everything I love about a fantasy. There was adventure, interesting worldbuilding, and romance. I loved how the worldbuilding was compelling without being overwhelming. The author did a fantastic job at giving enough descriptions for me to understand how the magic and politics worked, but also kept some things a secret for me to discover along the way.

Purchase the book here!