I won’t lie, I’m at a total loss for book list ideas these days! And it occurred to me this morning that I could present my five very favorite books ever…

…but then I realized that is a literally impossible task. Instead, may I present to you: my top five books of 2021!

2021 was actually a very slow reading year for me, so I don’t have much to pick from…and therefore it shouldn’t be as hard to pick only five, right?

Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

This one easily tops my list. I don’t typically read what’s new and popular (not in like, a hipster sense…I’m not snooty about it, it just usually doesn’t interest me the way my niche favorites do!) but Daisy Jones is quite the exception. And this 70’s band saga is even better on audio: the full cast, the added music – it’s a production, it’s art. I loved it. Not to mention, the Fleetwood Mac connection…I still recommend this gem to everyone who asks for recs! See my full review here and get your copy here (or from Libro.fm!).

The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood

Hazelwood is easily my favorite debut author of recent times – she nailed the romantic comedy in a way I haven’t seen from other authors in years, easily. The Love Hypothesis drags in just about every awkward trope you can think of, and I couldn’t quite stop laughing or cringing or crying the whole way through. I read it in just one night; I couldn’t put it down (the same of her newest, Love on the Brain, coming in July). Love, love, loved it. See my full review and get your own here.

Broken (in the best possible way) by Jenny Lawson

Nothing had me laughing out loud and simultaneously crying last year quite like Broken. This was my first ever Jenny Lawson read, but certainly won’t be my last – listening to this incredible book on mental health and the hysterical moments of Jenny’s life felt like listening to my ADD besties telling me a story. There’s a warmth and a wit to Lawson that simply cannot be replicated. Read my full thoughts on this one here and get a copy of your very own here (or listen on Libro.fm!).

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

I know I was a little late to the party on this one, but I really, really loved everything about Mexican Gothic. The VIBE of this book is just, everything I want to exist in from approximately August-November (extended spooky season, for anyone who knows what’s up). And I loved Moreno-Garcia’s writing so much, I went out and bought Velvet Was the Night almost immediately after, and loved that one too. While it wasn’t quite the story of Mexican Gothic, I knew I was hooked. I’m currently waiting not-so-patiently for The Daughter of Doctor Moreau. Get Mexican Gothic here and read my full review here.

Sleeping Beauties by Stephen & Owen King

I know, I know – I’m shocking even myself with this one! This was probably my most surprisingly enjoyable read of last year. It had been sitting on my shelf for maybe three years, and I finally decided it was time to crack that puppy open (it’s a mere 702 pages…so…maybe you can see where the dread stemmed from). But once I started, I honestly couldn’t stop. While it was certainly the horrifying, gruesome scene I’m familiar with coming from King, I was more impressed by just how much it left me thinking about. The concept, the choices that have to be made were thought provoking and could even be explored deeper. I like to think this would’ve been a very different book written by a woman, too. Get a copy here and read my full review here.

And guess what? Lucky for you, I have full reviews on every. Single. One of these books! Check them out!

As always, I don’t get any kickback from the links in this article – if you don’t want to shop with my (admittedly fabulous) local indie bookstore, shop with yours! Have an incredible weekend, my dudes.